Patriots fourth-round cornerback Jack Jones was a pleasant surprise as a rookie in 2022. He flashed very good playmaking ability, especially in the back-to-back games against the Packers (pick-six of Aaron Rodgers) and the Browns.
But he did have some issues with inconsistent play down the stretch, got hurt, and ended up being suspended by the team to end last season.
Still, Jones' talents were undeniable and you figured, with a little bit of maturity and being in the program year-round, that he would take a step forward and contend for a starting job. That seemed to come to fruition in practices this spring, and Jones was building to a big role with this team.
The Patriots finally looked to be building some talent at the cornerback position after their post-Stephon Gilmore struggles at the spot. They drafted Christian Gonzalez 17th overall and checks all the talent boxes. Jones looked improved entering his second season. Jonathan Jones was signed to an extension and appeared set to return to his traditional slot cornerback spot after playing out of position last year. Marcus Jones is a rising slot/dime corner. Jalen Mills was freed up player safety, cornerback or both. The team also drafted two late-round corners with nice traits.
The Patriots appeared to be in a nice place.
And then Jones incurred some big-time gun trouble at Logan Airport on Friday that puts his Patriot and NFL future in doubt, not to mention his freedom.
If Jones is not available this season or part of it, what does that mean for the cornerback position? Are there players available on the street?
Current depth chart
Boundary Corners
Christian Gonzalez - rookie
Jack Jones
Jonathan Jones* Primary position: slot corner
Jalen Mills* Primary position: Safety/star
Shaun Wade
Quandre Mosley
Ameer Speed - rookie
Isaiah Bolden - rookie
Slot Corners
Jonathan Jones
Myles Bryant
Marcus Jones
Rodney Randle
Corner/free safety
Jalen Mills
Myles Bryant
A look at the different options:
Jonathan Jones at No. 2 and stays outside
This would seem to be the first look the Patriots would go with. Jones played outside all of last season as the No. 1 corner, and he was competitive. In this scenario, Gonzalez would be No. 1, Jones No. 2 and Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant would battle for the slot.
The good: Jones would only be asked to be the No. 2 after struggling as the No. 1. Hopefully Marcus Jones is ready to be the slot because Bryant has struggled there at times. Jones has all the talent to do it. Allows Jalen Mills to stay at safety.
The bad: That's a lot of pressure for Gonzalez right off the bat, but maybe he's ready for it. ... Patriots would be somewhat weakened at 2 (supposed to be Jack Jones) and slot (supposed to be Jonathan Jones) from where they appeared to be.
Jalen Mills goes back to full-time corner
This would put Gonzalez at the 1, Jonathan Jones at 2 before going to slot in nickel/dime and Mills as nickel back on the outside.
The good: More experience to go with the rookie
The bad: Some of the stuff the Patriots were working on this spring as far as disguises goes largely out the window since Mills wouldn't be freed up as a safety that could morph quickly to cornerback. Limits the role exchanges.
Add a veteran boundary cornerback
These are the names still on the market:
Marcus Peters, Ravens: Talented when he's focused and wants to play, but he absolutely dogs it at times and always seems to battle injury issues. Have to be OK with his act, which can wear on teams.
Eli Apple, Bengals: Seemed to revive his career the last two years with Cincy as he was a solid cornerback, but the Bengals always seemed to be trying to limit his playing time. And he can be pretty outspoken.
Troy Hill, Rams: Allowed 41 catches and 3 TDs on 59 targets while dealing with injuries.
Bryce Callahan, Chargers: He's 5-9 and only a slot.
BOTTOM LINE
Don't see much available on the market, so the Patriots are going to have to do this internally, if they have to.
I would not go down the Shaun Wade road — he's been lucky to remain on this roster but the team did trade for him, so he gets a longer leash — unless the light suddenly goes on.
Unless Marte Mapu is absolutely ready to play the challenging free safety spot, I would like to leave Jalen Mills at free safety for now and possibly look at other options with him as a last resort. Patriots can do some nifty disguises with him, and I don't want to lose those yet.
The best option right now seems to have Gonzalez at No. 1, Jonathan Jones at No. 2 and he stays outside with Marcus Jones at No. 3 playing the slot role. Really want to see what Marcus Jones can do with more playing time.
In a best-case scenario, Gonzalez is an upgrade at No. 1 over what Jonathan Jones gave you. Jones is an upgrade over Mills/Jack Jones last year at No. 2. And Marcus Jones is an upgrade over Bryant at slot from last year.
Not a terrible place to be, but Jack Jones made them a lot better and deeper. In this scenario, the Patriots are one injury away from things being really dire at cornerback, and that's a position where a lot of injuries happen.