By John Sarianides
The Patriots bolstered their secondary this off-season by signing free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a $65 million dollar contract. The move was surprising considering the Patriots unwillingness in the past to give cornerbacks long term, big money contracts.
Bill Belichick opted to give Gilmore the big money contract instead of restricted free agent Malcolm Butler. The Patriots tried to trade Butler but couldn’t get a deal worked out with the New Orleans Saints. Butler visited with the Saints but after the two teams failed to come up with the appropriate compensation, Butler signed his tender.
The Patriots will have one of the top cornerback tandems in the league in Gilmore and Butler but they also have one of the top safety tandems in the league. Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung are both versatile and can play over the top in coverage or cover down.
Depth will be a concern for the Patriots. Eric Rowe and Justin Coleman excel in sub packages but both struggled when they had to play on the outside. The Patriots need to get something out of second year corner Cyrus Jones.
Here is our defensive back preview.
Cornerbacks
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, 6-0 190, 6th Season: Gilmore gives the Patriots the long corner that they lack. It is imperative in today’s NFL to have corners with length that can match up with bigger receivers on the outside. Gilmore provides that.
Gilmore excels at press coverage and re-routing receivers. The Patriots will squat him a lot in a press technique with safety help over the top to his side. Belichick and Matt Patricia want to take advantage of his ball skills in trail technique.
Malcolm Butler, West Alabama, 5-11 180, 4th Season: Butler has established himself as one of the top corners in the NFL. Butler has terrific anticipation and ball skills. He excels in trail coverage and does a terrific job of maintaining hip position down the field.
Butler runs into trouble when covering bigger receivers, especially in the red zone. He can’t defend the jump ball and it has been an issue for him. It might be why the Patriots are hesitant to extend him.
The Patriots will let Butler play his contract out and hit the open market. I don’t foresee them trading him but you never know with Bill Belichick. See Logan Mankins.
Cyrus Jones, Alabama, 5-10 197, 2nd Season: Jones had a disasterous rookie season, particularity returning kicks. He was shut down the second half of the season and was essentially banished from the team.
The Patriots need Jones to re-focus and contribute both on special teams and in sub packages. If he doesn’t find his way onto to the field this season, the Patriots may cut their loses and move on.
Eric Rowe, Utah, 6-1 205, 3rd Season: Rowe thrived last season in sub packages and proved to be a value piece when the Patriots were in their 30 and 40 nickel fronts.
Rowe has good size and length and can match up against bigger receivers and move tight ends in the slot. Rowe can play on the outside because he has above average ball skills. Rowe has proven to be a valuable acquisition by Belichick. He will once again play a big role in the Patriots defense.
Jonathan Jones, 5-9 186, Auburn, 2nd Season: Jones was terrific last season both on special teams and sub packages. Jones turned heads last pre-season and as a result was able to make the team. At 5-9, Jones lacks the height to be a match up corner in the slot but he is terrific athlete who plays with good instincts.
Justin Coleman, Tennessee, 5-11 185, 3rd Season: Coleman can be inconsistent at times in coverage. He has good ball skills and size but he needs to do a better job of recognizing routes, particularly underneath routes in the flat. He is solid in run support and can play on all of the special teams units which makes Coleman valuable.
D.J Killings, Central Florida, 5-11 182 RK: Killings has good size and length. He transitions with ease and can play in the slot or on the outside. He will have a legit shot at making this team because of the uncertainty at corner beyond Gilmore and Butler.
Safeties
Devin McCourty, Rutgers, 5-11 193, 7th Season: McCourty has emerged as one of the best safeties in the NFL. The Patriots don’t play a free and a strong safety. They play two safeties that they use the same way. McCourty can play over the top or screw down and cover the slot. The former cornerback has some of the best ball skills in the league and it shows. McCourty has 19 career interceptions.
Patrick Chung, Oregon, 5-11 212, 8th Season: Chung left the Patriots three years ago, reinvented himself and then returned. Now he is a three level safety who can play in all situations and all three downs. It is pretty impressive when you consider the fact that Chung struggled in coverage during his first tour of duty in New England. Now is one of the linchpins of this defense.
Duron Harmon, Rutgers, 6-1 204, 5th Season: Harmon is very similar to Chung as a player. He can play in three levels and can play all three downs. After an up and down rookie, Harmon has turned his career around and signed $20 million dollar contract this off-season. Harmon is key contributor both defensively and on special teams.
Brandon King, Auburn, 6-2 212, 3rd Season: King is a keep contributor on special teams but he will also play in certain sub packages depending on the game plan. He has carved a niche for himself on specials and should make the team as a result.
Nate Ebner, Ohio State, 6-0 205, 6th Season: Ebner will once again be one of the top special teams contributors and play in sub packages as a “Big Nickel” corner in the slot.