The Patriots should have one of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL going into this season. Led by Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, the Patriots have a good blend of veteran experience and young talent at the cornerback position.

Length and an ability to play man coverage are prerequisites for a cornerback to play in the Patriots defense. They have an abundance of both with this group. 

Here is our preview of the Patriots cornerbacks heading into this season. 

Field Cornerbacks 

Carlton Davis III: 6’1″, 206 lbs, Auburn: Davis was one of the big free agent acquisitions this off-season and he gives the Patriots another cornerback who can lock up, play man coverage and be physical in run support. From a fit standpoint, he is the ideal running mate to Christian Gonzalez and gives the Patriots the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Davis has 11 career interceptions but perhaps the most important stat of his career is the amount of tackles he has. Davis has racked up 450 total tackles in his career. It speaks to the type of player he is and what he brings to the table.  

Alex Austin: 6’1″, 191 lbs, Oregon State: Austin has had his fair share of ups and downs but he has good size, length and athleticism. He can get on a hip and carry routes vertically and stay in phase. Austin also offers alignment versatility in that he can play outside or in the slot as a big nickel or dime. Austin has a chance to continue to wear a lot of different hats in the Patriots defense including play safety in certain looks. That will be his calling card and his ability to play special teams only adds to Austin’s value. 

Kobee Minor: 5’11”, 188 lbs, Memphis: Mr. Irrelevant can make this Patriots team but he will really have to pop on special teams. Minor has good size, above average ball skills and plays with good instincts. Physically, he doesn’t do anything elite but he’s a grinder who is willing to support the run and play with proper technique. Despite those traits, he is still a long shot to make the team. 

Brandon Crossley: 5’11”, 186 lbs, SMU: The undrafted free agent has the size, athleticism and physical tools to play field corner or slide inside and play nickel or dime. He played in 66 games in college and had 6 career interceptions including 4 in 2020. Crossley has also played safety which means he is versatile. 

Boundry Cornerbacks

Christian Gonzalez: 6’1″, 205 lbs, Oregon: Gonzalez has emerged as one of the five best cornerbacks in the NFL. He has the ideal size and athleticism to play boundary corner and he plays with good technique and fundamentals, especially in man to man coverage. Gonzalez is also physical and has consistently shown he can attack blockers, stack, shed and support the run. Staying healthy is key. Gonzalez numbers may not jump out at you. He has 3 career interceptions and 11 passes defended in two years. However at the cornerback position, you judge a player by the lack of production from the receiver he is covering. Gonzalez does a tremendous job of shutting down opposing receivers. 

Marcellas Dial Jr.: 6’0″, 190 lbs, South Carolina: Dial struggled as a rookie and played most of his snaps on special teams. He has good size and athleticism but he needs to show more in training camp in sub packages if he wants to have a realistic shot at making the team. 

Miles Battle: 6’3″, 197 lbs, Utah: Battle’s size and athleticism are intriguing. He is another corner who has safety experience and can line up as a safety in certain coverage looks. He will need a strong camp to make the team but he passes the eye test. 

Slot Cornerbacks

Marcus Jones: 5’8″, 188 lbs, Houston: Jones prowess as a returner is well known. He can change the complexion of a game or flip field position with one return. As a slot corner, he has the athleticism and skill set to match up with smaller slot receivers but bigger receivers and tight ends give him problems. Expect Jones to be the team’s nickel corner but it will be on a game to game basis as he looks like a match up player. 

Isaiah Bolden: 6’2″, 205 lbs, Jackson State University: Bolden needs a strong camp to make the roster. He offers special team value, he has good size and athleticism but he really needs to put it together this summer. He is another long corner who offers alignment versatility.  

 DJ James: 6’0″, 184 lbs, Auburn: Another boundary corner type with good length, fluid his and solid ball skills. James is going into his second year in the league and needs to prove that he could stick in a sub package role and as a special teamer. 

Jordan Polk: 5’11”, 189 lbs, Texas State: Polk is another corner with length that can play inside or outside. He has good size and plays with good technique but he needs to find a way to standout this summer and impress the coaches.

The ability to match up is crucial in today’s NFL. The Patriots can do that with the corners on their roster. Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams will be able to do whatever they want with their fronts knowing that they have corners who can hold up on the back end.