Combined this season, ex-Patriots J.C. Jackson (Chargers) and Stephon Gilmore (Colts) will make roughly $38 million, thanks to fat bonuses on their recently-signed free-agent contracts.
According to spotrac.com, the 17 New England Patriots defensive backs currently under contract – if they all make the team (of course they won’t!) – would pull in right around $43 million – total!
Simple math dictates that Bill Belichick and the Patriots have chosen not to delegate a major chunk of change in the defensive backfield for 2022. The coach/general manager will certainly be held accountable for this choice if this band of hopefuls can’t hold up in today’s explosive pass-happy NFL.
In the division alone lies Tyreek Hill, Jaylin Waddle and Stefon Diggs, three of the game’s most dynamic talents.
The Patriots will also likely see Diontae Johnson (Steelers), Mark Andrews (Ravens), Amari Cooper (Browns), Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Darnell Mooney (Bears), Michael Pittman (Colts), Ja’Mar Chase and Tee Higgins (Bengals), Darren Waller and Davante Adams (Raiders), D’Andre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown (Cardinals) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions).
New England will combat that with a cornerback depth chart that tops off with journeyman Jalen Mills and unretired Malcolm Butler.
Moral of the story? You get what you pay for.
All is not lost, though, in this secondary – which we examine today in the last of our BSJ positional training camp previews. The safeties might just rank among the best corps in the game today, at least from 1-4. How much of a load will they be summoned on to bear? Gigantic.
Both Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger will see significant time in the box as run-players as they have each of the last two seasons.
Ageless Devin McCourty, a two-time Pro Bowler who turns 35 in three weeks, remains one of the game’s most intelligent on-field generals. And newcomer Jabrill Peppers, fighting his way back from a torn ACL, adds more depth and a bit of a swagger.
But if New England can’t play outside, it could be a tough year through the air defensively. Here’s a look at the roster.
1. Devin McCourty
Buy his stock: You won’t need your toes to count guys with a greater impact on this team in the Brady-Belichick Era. He’s a top-10 guy and a first-ballot guy when it comes to the Hall at Patriot Place.
Sell, sell, sell: At 34, he’s coming to the end of an amazing career.
Longo says: McCourty might not have the same range he once had, but he’s the brains behind this operation. He’s a true leader and player, even at this age, that this defense will count on.
2. Adrian Phillips
Buy his stock: Since he arrived, Belichick has asked this kid to sacrifice. And Phillips never blinks. He does things a 210-pounder shouldn’t be asked to do, attacking the box and getting dirty in the run game. He never complains. He just produces.
Sell, sell, sell: That 30-year-old body has taken a pounding. He’s started more games in two seasons with New England (29) than he did in six years with the Chargers (24).
Longo says: It says a lot that Belichick gave Phillips a 3-year extension in the offseason, with $7.25 million guaranteed says an awful lot about how this franchise feels about the safety.
3. Kyle Dugger
Buy his stock: He’s the heir apparent. The team has treated this athletic specimen with patience, hoping he picks up the system and grows into a big-time player. Hits like a train, runs like a track star, and his cover skills have improved incrementally.
Sell, sell, sell: Until Dugger plays on all three downs, he can’t be considered an upper echelon player in this game. McCourty played 94 percent of the defensive snaps. Phillips played 81.7. And Dugger was down at 67.9.
Longo says: Has to take on a more diverse role. It’s time. This defense craves playmakers. He has the physical attributes to be that guy.
4. Jabrill Peppers
Buy his stock: Former first-round pick of the Browns (2017) is a pro with 59 starts between Cleveland and the Giants.
Sell, sell, sell: A torn ACL ended last season in Week 7. Now, Peppers is looking to make it all the way back, opening training camp on the PUP list.
Longo says: If he’s good enough health-wise to get on the field, he offers a physical presence at 220 pounds. He’ll be an asset, again, as long as the knee is OK.
5. Jalen Mills
Buy his stock: After six pro seasons, five in Philly and the last one here, as primarily a “slot guy,” Mills, out of necessity, assumes the “shut down” role with this group.
Sell, sell, sell: That’s a mighty giant ask for a guy who has struggled facing No. 1 and 2 receivers on the outside.
Longo says: When Mills signed his four-year, $24 million deal in 2021, with $9 million guaranteed, did he know what he was getting into?
6. Malcolm Butler
Buy his stock: Not sure if you’ve heard about him before, but Butler has a propensity to make the big play. Seriously, he’s a real, bona fide corner, at least he was in his 20s.
Sell, sell, sell: Butler is now 32 with a year out of the game and a return to work under Steve Belichick.
Longo says: He should be watched closely early in camp. Often times these veterans who come out of retirement have some second thoughts under the blazing August sun. Before anything else, we need to know his heart is still in this.
7. Jon Jones
Buy his stock: The speedster worked his way from strictly special-teamer into legitimate slot corner, producing nicely until a nasty shoulder injury ended the 2021 season prematurely.
Sell, sell, sell: Jones can be exposed at times in coverage. The fact that this team might force him to work outside his comfort zone might work against him.
Longo says: He’s got grit, speed and a big, big heart. Assuming the shoulder recovers fully, and he’s opening camp on PUP right now, he’ll be an important situational guy.
8. Jack Jones
Buy his stock: The fourth-round pick had pretty good measurables and plays bigger and tougher than he is (5-foot-11, 180 pounds).
Sell, sell, sell: Before New England proclaims that he is the heir apparent at left corner – based off of OTAs and mini-camp, some sanity needs to be employed.
Longo says: He struggled some in coverage at Arizona State, but flashed a little bit during the spring in shorts and helmets. One thing is certain, in this secondary, he’ll get ample opportunity.
9. Marcus Jones
Buy his stock: Smallish (5-foot-8) corner taken in the third round this spring, he probably projects inside in the slot.
Sell, sell, sell: How many early round smallish corners have failed here? Too many, plain and simple. When it comes to guys like this Jones, he’s going to have to prove it first on the field.
Longo says: Jones will get his chances early and often, especially in the return game where this team could really use a spark.
10. Myles Bryant
Buy his stock: Insurance, he’s been in the system for two years, so his familiarity is a top asset.
Sell, sell, sell: Just 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, he’s fought his way on the field, only to get exposed in coverage.
Longo says: Bouncing between the practice squad and the active roster the past two years might be his ceiling. It’s tough to expect more than that out of the undrafted free agent from Washington.
11. Shaun Wade
Buy his stock: Took a curious route to Foxborough as he was drafted by the Ravens (Round 5, 2021) and then dealt here as training camp closed. Active for only three games, he saw time on special teams and defense.
Sell, sell, sell: This team needed all the secondary help it could find last year, and Wade played as little as possible.
Longo says: You could say this basically for every corner on this roster. There are no guarantees. It’s an uphill climb.
12. Joejuan Williams
Buy his stock: At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, he’s got the size that should give some of the bigger outside guys some problems.
Sell, sell, sell: Finding believers in Williams, outside of the home locker room at Gillette, is nearly impossible after the past three seasons.
Longo says: A second-rounder in 2019, he’s made one start here for New England. He’s fighting for his playing life here this time around.
13. Terrance Mitchell
Buy his stock: Sometimes tackle numbers for corners are a bad thing. In Mitchell’s case, it’s not. He’s fearless in coming up to play the run and not afraid to mix it up aggressively.
Sell, sell, sell: Not the biggest body, the Oregon product has run into trouble in the past against bigger receivers.
Longo says: Sixth team in seven years for this guy, who has done some solid work the past two seasons with Cleveland and Houston.
14. Justin Bethel
Buy his stock: Grizzled veteran in the kicking game, has turned covering kicks into an art form since 2012 with the Cardinals.
Sell, sell, sell: Let’s be honest. Special teams weren’t exactly a strength in these parts back in 2021.
Longo says: Every football team needs a lunch-pail type, Bethel has been one of those guys here since mid-2019 after stints with the Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens.
15. Cody Davis
Buy his stock: Veteran special-teamer who started with the St. Louis Rams – yes, St. Louis Rams – in 2013 is a perfect Belichick Patriot. No ego, no complaints, just production and consistency.
Sell, sell, sell: At 33 with 127 games under his belt, his time can be considered limited for sure.
Longo says: He, and to a lesser extent Bethel, will be at the mercy of this roster, its needs and how things shake out.
16. Brenden Schooler
Buy his stock: He’s expected to be a demon on special teams at 6-foot-2, 206 pounds.
Sell, sell, sell: Kicking game phenom or not, there’s just not much room for an extra safety with the top-end talent expected to be here.
Longo says: A long shot at safety, the rookie out of Texas would be one of the longer reaches to actually make this team.
17. Joshuah Bledsoe
Buy his stock: The 2021 sixth-round pick fought his way back from wrist pre-draft wrist injuries to hit the active roster last December.
Sell, sell, sell: Unfortunately for the undersized safety out of Missouri, he finished the year back on the injured list.
Longo says: Camp will offer a first real look at Bledsoe, just so long as he can stay on the field.