Close Article Return to stream X
NFL

New England Patriots Have Huge Spotlight On Cornerback Position In Training Camp

+Read full article
Malcolm Butler New England Patriots

Getty Images

In my positional breakdown of the New England Patriots, I ranked the team’s units from worst to first as we head into training camp. The biggest area of concern is cornerback, where the Patriots suffered major losses when they lost superstar Darrelle Revis. Kyle Arrington, Brandon Browner and Alfonzo Dennard also are gone, so improving and monitoring the cornerback position will be one of the biggest stories of training camp.

The Patriots’ top three corners heading into training camp are veteran Bradley Fletcher, who played his first six seasons with the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, and homegrown youngsters Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler.

With the loss of Revis, the Patriots will likely mix up coverages and play more off-man and zone. The fact that they are taking longer, taller corners could be an indication that they’ll try to play more cover-3, which has been nearly perfected by the Seattle Seahawks.

Fletcher, 6-foot, 200 pounds, has had an uneven career, showing signs of being a top corner but also struggling mightily over large stretches. If he picks up the Pats’ scheme, I think he could thrive under head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

Ryan and Butler are both 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. Both also possess the length and intelligence to thrive if they continue to master the details in becoming a top corner. Ryan, who also played a bit of safety during his first two seasons, has made seven interceptions during his two seasons, including five as a rookie. Ryan has also struggled at times, and in what is one of the most overlooked coaching moves in Super Bowl history, he was replaced by Butler after repeatedly being scorched during the second quarter. I like Ryan, but I think he will be better in zone and off-man as he currently struggles to mirror receivers in tight man.

Butler is cemented in Patriots lore after coming up with the clinching interception in the final seconds of Super Bowl 49. He really has the skill set to develop into a special player. Butler has all the tools, with quick feet, great transition out of backpedal and raw instincts. Whether he becomes an elite corner will come down to taking to the coaching and making it a priority to be great.

Robert McClain, a free-agent signing, has experience on the outside, but he likely fits inside where he could nail down a role as a slot corner.

Another intriguing option is Justin Green, another 5-foot-11, 195-pound corner in his second-year out of Illinois. Green showed promise on the practice squad, but making that transition from the practice squad to NFL contributor is a big leap.

Rookie Darryl Roberts, 6-foot, 182 pounds, will also get a long look. The seventh-rounder out of Marshall is a bit raw, but he possesses elite short-area quickness and is a competitive kid, which is a coveted quality in a cornerback.

Rounding out the challengers for a back-end roster spot, or a place on the practice squad, are Daxton Swanson, Jimmy Jean, Brandon King and Eric Patterson.

I would expect the Patriots to continue to build this position in the coming weeks. If they don’t sign another free agent before training camp, I would expect them to closely monitor veteran cuts at the position so they can bring in another proven body or two.

As we near training camp, it is no secret that the development of the cornerbacks on the roster will be integral in how the Patriots fare in their title defense.

Your Favorites