The New England Patriots attempted to fill out their cornerback depth last offseason by signing low-tier veteran free agents. It didn’t go so hot, so they took a different approach in 2016.
Robert McClain, Chimdi Chekwa and Derek Cox were gone before last summer ended, Bradley Fletcher only lasted through Week 4, and Tarell Brown hit injured reserve after just three games.
Now, the Patriots have just one cornerback on their roster over the age of 26 entering next week’s organized team activities.
Malcolm Butler, 26, and Logan Ryan, 25, project as starters and are locks for the regular-season roster. The Patriots used their top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on 22-year-old Cyrus Jones, so he’s also a guarantee for the 53-man roster, barring injury. Justin Coleman, 23; Darryl Roberts, 25; E.J. Biggers, 28; Jonathan Jones, 22; Cre’von LeBlanc, 22; and V’Angelo Bentley, 22, round out the Patriots’ depth at cornerback.
Patriots OTAs, minicamp and training camp will feature two cornerback position battles: the battle for the nickel defensive back role and what are likely the final two spots on the depth chart.
Coleman, a 2015 undrafted free agent who played in 10 games and started two last season, and Cyrus Jones are the favorites for the nickel role. Coleman let up just 18 completions on 36 targets last season for 247 yards with two touchdowns allowed and five pass breakups. He typically manned the slot while Butler and Ryan stayed outside.
Cyrus Jones has higher upside for the job, but he almost exclusively played outside during his college career at Alabama, so he would have to prove he can play in the slot to take over that role during his rookie season. The Patriots also could elect to play Cyrus Jones outside and move Ryan into the slot against three-receiver sets.
Roberts showed potential as a rookie during training camp last season, but he was placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury, missing the 2015 campaign. He could beat out Coleman or Cyrus Jones for the nickel role if he’s able to build off his impressive rookie summer.
Coleman and Roberts showed potential last year, but as former undrafted free agents and seventh-round selections, neither is guaranteed a spot on the Patriots’ 2016 roster. There will likely be an open competition this summer, when Biggers, Jonathan Jones, Cre’von LeBlanc or V’Angelo Bentley could beat them out.
Biggers started 34 games over six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. He’s also a core special-teams player.
Jonathan Jones, LeBlanc and Bentley all signed as rookie free agents this offseason. Jones has the highest upside and the most athleticism, LeBlanc was the most productive during his college career, and Bentley has the most special-teams value.
Butler and Ryan are free agents after the 2016 season, so the Patriots should also be looking toward the future when deciding which players will crack the 53-man roster out of training camp. The Patriots are currently loaded with youth and athleticism at the position.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
