CLNS Media

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Bruins Offseason Mailbag

    06/04/2023

    How the Stanley Cup Matchup Could Impact Bruins Goaltending Situation

    06/04/2023

    Washburn: Jaylen Brown, Joe Mazzulla & Brad Stevens Deserve Share of Blame For Celtics Playoff Exit

    06/03/2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok Discord
    CLNS Media
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Betting
    • NBA History
    • Podcasts
      • podcast
        • A List Podcast
        • Almost Shameless
        • Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast
        • Bruins Beat
        • Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman
        • Cedric Maxwell Podcast
        • Celtics Beat
      • podcast
        • Celtics Lab
        • Celtics Postgame Live
        • Dome Theory with Bobby Manning
        • The Garden Report
        • Greg Bedard’s Patriots Podcast
        • Patriots Beat
      • podcast
        • Patriots Postgame Show
        • Pats Interference
        • Poke the Bear
        • Red Sox Beat
        • Winning Plays
        • View All Podcasts
    • About
      • About CLNS
      • Our Sponsors
      • Talent
      • Job Opportunities
      • Join Our Network
      • Advertise With Us
    CLNS Media
    Home » Patriots Roster Preview: Cornerbacks
    NFL

    Patriots Roster Preview: Cornerbacks

    Evan LazarBy Evan Lazar07/22/2019Updated:08/28/20215 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Email

    This is part eight of a position by position roster preview ahead of Patriots training camp.

    Roster locks: Stephon Gilmore, Joejuan Williams, JC Jackson
    Strong chance to make the roster: Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, Duke Dawson
    On the bubble: Keion Crossen, Ken Webster
    Undrafted rookies: D’Angelo Ross

    Gilmore – the Patriots’ only All-Pro from a year ago returns for his third season with the team, and the only question is can Gilmore possibly get better? Last season, he led all cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus grade (90.7), forced incompletions (29) and Sports Info Solutions’ points saved metric shutting down a gauntlet of the league’s best wide receivers. Gilmore’s patience in man coverage is phenomenal as he trusts his long speed and hip fluidity to stay square with the receiver until he commits to a release down the field. Combine those movement skills with his ability to play the ball in the air, and you get a consensus All-Pro cornerback.

    Trending
    Kadlick’s Day Two Patriots Mock Draft: New England Moves Around the Board to Add Weapons for Mac Jones

    https://www.clnsmedia.com/patriots-traded-joejuan-williams-standout-traits-picks/

    Williams – The Patriots’ infatuation with Williams ended up being very real after it felt like a smokescreen in the days before the draft. The Pats love Williams. Love him, and although his college tape was inconsistent at times, you can see why given his physical tools and alpha-dog mentality. Williams is as long as they come for a corner at nearly six-foot-four with 32.5-inch arms. The rookie played 88 percent of his snaps as an outside corner for the Commodores last season, but as I wrote back in May, his skill set is reminiscent of former Pats corner Brandon Browner. Belichick spoke at length about the necessity for his secondary to have cornerbacks of all shapes and sizes to match up against all the different kinds of receivers in today’s NFL, including tight ends, so Williams could be the center of the basketball team if you will that draws the bigger receivers.

    Jackson – Jackson will be an interesting case study this season of the volatility in advanced metrics at the cornerback position. The second-year undrafted free agent has terrific ball skills and can stick to receivers of all sizes. Last season, he allowed only one catch of 20 or more yards on 14 deep targets and the 42.0 passer rating into his coverage was the lowest of all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. However, due to several different variables such as matchups and when he was thrown at within the progression, those numbers can often swing dramatically year to year for corners. The good ones have the smallest change in target-based stats, so we’ll see just how good Jackson is in year two.

    McCourty – the other McCourty twin feels like a roster lock after a terrific first season with the Pats, but due to the depth at the position he needs to keep it up entering his age 32 season. McCourty gives the Patriots scheme versatility and flexibility logging snaps in multiple spots and multiple coverage schemes. His ability to play both man and zone coverage at a high level separates him from a much younger corner like Jackson. In the AFC Championship Game, Jackson out-snapped McCourty because the Patriots went with a man-heavy game plan. In the Super Bowl, they played a lot of zone on early downs, so the coaching staff went with McCourty. Like his brother, Jason is an extremely reliable and technically sound player.

    Jones – Jones is a good example of how those target-based metrics can be inconsistent year to year. In 2017, Jones allowed an 80.5 passer rating into his coverage, and that rose to 91.4 last year. Did Jones get worse or did circumstances lead to a slight step back? I’d go with circumstances playing a more significant role as Jones was still productive working out of the slot and even playing some safety in the Super Bowl. As one of the Pats’ fastest defensive backs, Jones went from Tyreek Hill’s shadow in the AFC Championship Game to a “rat” safety against the Rams cutting off their intermediate crossers. Add in his special teams value, and it’s easy to see why the Pats put a second-round restricted free agent tender on the 25-year-old.

    Dawson – the 2018 second-rounder is the forgotten man in the Patriots’ cornerback room after playing just 16 preseason snaps as a rookie. The former Gator dealt with a hamstring issue that forced him to essentially redshirt his rookie season after JC Jackson ascended while Dawson was on IR. However, Dawson is far from an afterthought as teams seldom give up on second-round picks this quickly. He was one of the standouts in minicamp showing off his man coverage skills from the slot and should compete for that role with Jon Jones.

    Biggest question: will there be a surprise cut or trade from this position group?

    At the minimum, the Patriots go six deep at cornerback, and that could extend to seven if 2018 seventh-rounder Keion Crossen has a strong camp. With that in mind, we could see Bill Belichick make a move to open a roster spot at another position. The most likely scenario is that the Patriots find a trade for one of their young corners potentially to bolster a hole elsewhere, maybe for another receiver or an offensive tackle. Jon Jones, who is one a one-year deal worth roughly $3.1 million, is the most likely candidate. Jones is affordable, and only a one-year rental, plus, the Pats have Dawson waiting in the wings at slot corner. But Belichick likes surprises, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they sell high on someone like Jackson if they can add a high-impact player.

    Duke Dawson Jason McCourty JC Jackson Joejuan Williams Jonathan Jones Patriots Stephon Gilmore
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Evan Lazar
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn

    Evan Lazar is the New England Patriots beat reporter for CLNS Media.

    Related Posts

    Mac Jones says Bill O’Brien is in Full Control

    06/03/2023

    Is Tyquan Thornton Breakout Year Incoming?

    06/02/2023

    Patriots OTA Day 1 Recap w/ Brian Hines from Pats Pulpit

    06/01/2023

    Bedard: Patriots Offense ‘Looked Good’ Under Bill O’Brien on Day 1 of OTAS

    06/01/2023

    Rebuilding the Patriots’ Passing Game: Empty Formations

    06/01/2023

    Patriots scrimmage draft with Fitzy

    05/31/2023

    Comments are closed.

    Follow Us
    Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube
    Featured Videos
    Featured Videos

    Bruins Offseason Mailbag

    By CLNS Media06/04/2023

    Joe Haggerty is joined by CLNS Media’s John Zannis for a Bruins offseason mailbag episode!…

    Jaylen Brown Supermax Deal Won’t Prevent Potential Trade for Celtics

    06/01/2023

    Reacting to Brad Stevens End Of Season Celtics Press Conference

    06/01/2023

    Patriots OTA Day 1 Recap w/ Brian Hines from Pats Pulpit

    06/01/2023
    About Us
    About Us

    Your source for the lifestyle news. This demo is crafted specifically to exhibit the use of the theme as a lifestyle site. Visit our main page for more demos.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: info@example.com
    Contact: +1-320-0123-451

    Our Picks

    Celtics-Pistons Game 2 Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions | BetOnline.ag

    01/03/2021

    Celtics-Pistons Game 2 Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions | BetOnline.ag

    01/03/2021
    New Comments
      Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok Discord
      • Home
      • NBA
      • NFL
      • MLB
      • NHL
      • View All Podcasts
      • About
      • Privacy Policy

      2022 North Station Media. Designed by J&R Marketing.


      At North Station Media, we don’t just celebrate diversity, we live it. North Station Media is an equal opportunity employer that commits itself everyday creating the most inclusive environment for all its employees and hiring the best and most qualified individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

      Cleantalk Pixel