Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Send It to the Secondary - 2021 Outlook for Patriots Defensive Backfield — 1/27/2021

Episode Date: January 27, 2021

The New England Patriots have long valued a strong secondary. While the production of Pats defensive backs did dip a bit in 2020, they still employed one of the most formidable units in the NFL. Host Mike D’Abate takes a deep dive into New England’s positional depth charts at both cornerback and safety, including the future of Stephon Gilmore, the emergence of J.C. Jackson, the value of Devin McCourty and the return of Patrick Chung.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. EchelonGo to EchelonFit.com/LockedOn and try any Echelon Fitness equipment at home for 30 days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. Today is Wednesday, January 27th, 2021. And to help get you through the midway point in your work week, we are sending it to the secondary here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions,

the New England Patriots. Locked on Patriots is proudly presented today by Bilt Bar. Bilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to BiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKEDON to get 20% off your next order. Happy Hump Day, Patriots Nation, and thank you so much for joining me here today on the pod. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots Podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback are always welcomed and very much appreciated. Feel free to share that feedback anytime by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at M-D-A-B-A-T-E-F-P-C. And while you're out there doing some Wednesday wandering through that Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at L-O underscore Patriots. Pats Nation, the offseason here in New England keeps rolling on, and for the past couple of weeks, we've been spending some time delving into some of the positional groupings on the

team. With the exception of yesterday's pod, which I'll get to in a minute, it's mostly been a look at the offensive positional groupings, the wide receivers, the tight ends, the running backs, even the offensive line a little bit. Spent a good amount of time talking quarterbacks for good reason, and fear not, folks, that talk will continue. But starting yesterday here on the pod, we started delving into the defense a little bit.

My Patriots Paizan, Steve Balistrieri, joined me here on the pod yesterday, and we took a deeper dive into the defense, particularly the front seven. We talked about the interior of the defensive line and how the Patriots need to make a decision on how they're going to solve the problem in the middle of that interior. We also talked about the Pats' difficulty setting the edge and how a young pair of Michigan Wolverines might just solve the problem there. However, they're still young, and the Patriots might choose to bring in a veteran or two to help bring along Chase Winovich and Josh Uche as they strive to be the next star pass-rushing

tandem in the NFL. Last but certainly not least, we talked about the linebacker position. That's an area where the Patriots were massively depleted, and they struggled mightily in that department. Guys like Juwan Bentley and Anfernee Jennings are good young pieces, and they will take steps forward in 2021. But the biggest key to the Patriots returning to any type of prowess when it comes to the linebacker position might lie within the hands of Dante Hightower. Should Dante choose to retire, or should he be released from the team, the Patriots would once again be left with the same questions and the same holes that they had in 2021. Steve and I both agree that this is one of the biggest questions facing the Patriots in this offseason, maybe as big as who's going to

be taking snaps under center. All right, maybe not that big, but almost. Today here on the pod, we continue delving into the defense, and you heard me earlier say that today was the day to send it to the secondary. And some of you may have picked up on that. If you're like me and you're a fan of the Netflix show Cobra Kai, I know a lot of you are rolling your eyes right now going, oh, it's cheesy. It is cheesy, folks, but it's cheesy in such a great way. The nostalgia from the 80s is phenomenal. I was born in the 80s, so I'm loving every minute of it. And you might recognize that send it to the secondary sounds an awful lot like Johnny Lawrence in season 80s, so I'm loving every minute of it. And you might recognize that send it to the secondary sounds an awful lot like Johnny

Lawrence in season two saying send it to the internet. So with keeping in line with the Cobra Kai theme, we're going to strike first here today and we're going to talk about the Patriots secondary, their defensive backfield, the cornerbacks and the safeties. And I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, Patriots Nation. The secondary is considered the strength of this defense here for the New England Patriots. The cornerbacks are as solid as they come, the safeties are always stellar in their approach to the game, but things aren't all sunshine and rainbows of the defensive backfield folks. The Patriots have a number of questions to answer

throughout the offseason, and in just a moment, I will take a look at each positional depth chart, and as usual, I'll provide my news notes and analysis, infused with the occasional opinion, on each member of the Patriots secondary currently on the 53-man roster. So an action-packed agenda here today on the pod, talking New England Patriots secondary, the corners, the safeties, how they did in 2020, what's going to happen to them in 2021, I'll be covering all of that when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Locked On listeners, each and every day that passes is one day closer to February 7th. The big game is set. Tampa Bay versus Kansas City and while it's pretty much a national holiday for

all football fans it's also the best time of year to test your prognostication skills and maybe even make a little money on it. If that sounds like your thing, there's only one place that has you covered and one place we trust. BetOnline.ag. Sign up today for a free account at BetOnline.ag and use that promo code LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. BetOnline.ag doesn't just have you covered with the latest lines for the game, they also have you covered with odds on who the MVP is going to be, how long it will take to sing the national anthem,

the over-under, total points scored, and so much more. So don't sit on the sidelines anymore. Get in on the action. And don't forget to use the promo code LOCKEDON to receive a 50% welcome bonus with your first deposit. Don't delay. Do it today. Sign up for your free account and use the promo code LOCKEDON for your sign-up bonus.

Bet online. You're online sportsbook experts. LockedOn listeners, you're one of a kind, and so are your taxes. That's why TurboTax Live has experienced tax experts who are ready to listen to you, learn about your unique tax situation, and help you get the best tax outcome. Maybe you're moonlining as a rideshare driver, and you have questions about what qualifies as a deduction. Maybe you want an expert to walk you through the process, since most of your income last year came from freelance jobs. Or maybe you'd just like to hand the whole tax filing process off to an expert while you perfect your banana bread recipe. Whether you want to file with the help of an expert or let an expert do the filing for you,

TurboTax Live tax experts are here to help. They give you the confidence to know that your one-of-a-kind, uniquely you taxes are done right. So don't delay. Visit them today. Intuit TurboTax Live. Sports fans, get more of the sports you need in less time with our new Locked On Today podcast. Peter Bukowski hosts Locked On Today, a daily podcast breaking down the biggest stories

with analysis from our local experts. Start your day with all the sports news you need in under 20 minutes. Subscribe to Locked On Today wherever you get your podcasts. Patriots fans, today is Send It to the Secondary Wednesday here on the Locked On Patriots podcast, and as I said to open the show today, we're going to be taking a deep dive into the Patriots' defensive backfield. 2019 was a great year for the Patriots' secondary, even though the season didn't end quite how Patriots fans would have wanted. With a playoff loss in the wildcard round against the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots secondary was probably their best unit and most consistent unit all year long, led by reigning defensive

player of the year, cornerback Stephon Gilmore. But Gilly Locke wasn't the only one making plays at the cornerback position. Jason McCourty, JC Jackson all had solid years, Jonathan Jones coming up big in the slot, and despite maybe struggling in some other areas on the defense and the offense, which we won't get to today, the Patriots were certainly not a team that any team wanted to pass against. In 2020, that lessened a little bit. The Patriots still got a solid year out of Stephon Gilmore. JC Jackson started to emerge as one of the better cover corners in the league, and you

still got solid output from guys like Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty. Even second-year corner Jawan Williams got some snaps, although his contributions were primarily at the safety position. We'll talk about the safeties in just a little bit. We'll start with the cornerbacks, and let's start off with the question that I know you all have on your mind. What's going to happen with Stephon Gilmore? Logistically, Stephon Gilmore is contractually obligated to be a New England Patriot in the 2021 season. He's under contract through 2021. This is going to be his New England Patriot in the 2021 season. He's under contract through 2021. This is going to be his last year with the Pats coming up. He does have a salary cap hit of $16.26 million coming up in 2021. That's a hefty number, and it's led to some

speculation on whether or not Stephon may have played his last down in New England. From an on-field perspective, Stephon Gilmore is a must-have in any lineup. He's still, in my opinion, the premier cornerback in all of the NFL. As I said just a minute ago, coming off of one of the most impressive seasons a cornerback has had in recent memory, I know people want to get on him for having a so-so or sub-par 2020 campaign, but Stephon Gilmore was still a solid player, and in my opinion, still among the best players in the league at his position. Some people will point to his statistical regression, and I say to that, Stephon Gilmore did suffer a couple of setbacks in 2020 that weren't his fault.

One of them was the COVID-19 designation in early October. The second, he had to be shut down for the year after suffering a partially torn quad. We all remember that that happened in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins. Those types of injuries and setbacks are going to lessen your statistics anyway. But when Stephon was on the field, again, folks, he was very good. He finished the 2020 season only allowing 16 catches on 32 targets, allowed 220 yards receiving, also finished with a touchdown and an interception. And while that might not be equal to the gaudy numbers that he put up in 2019,

it still shows you that Stephon Gilmore is a formidable cornerback, and one that the Patriots can ill afford to lose. Logistically on the field, that is. I'll get to that in just a minute. But one thing that there isn't any question on is that the status of Stephon Gilmore is the biggest question the Patriots have in their defensive backfield this offseason. If you watch the footage of him on the field, you can definitely see that he's still capable of playing cornerback at a very high level.

The Patriots would love to be able to have that type of player with that type of talent in their lineup. Luckily, he's under contract, so if they want to keep him on board, they don't have to do anything with Stephon Gilmore. Here's the rub on this, folks. He's coming off of a season-ending injury, and while a torn quad can be a difficult one to come back from, it should allow him to make a full recovery, but still, there's no guarantees. Is Stephon still going to be able to break the

same way? Will he still have the same burst of speed and energy? These are things that the Patriots are going to have to monitor in training camp, but there's also the question as to whether or not they'll even get to that point. As I said before, Gilmore has a salary cap hit of over $16 million in 2021. That means that for the upcoming season, he's going to be the most expensive player on the payroll in terms of salary cap impact. Throw in the fact that he's also over the age of 30, and all of a sudden, the decision to be made about Stephon Gilmore is not exactly so easy. Look, there are very few that will argue that the Patriots might be a better team without

Stephon Gilmore in the lineup. I certainly don't think that's the case, even with the emergence of a player that we're going to talk about in just a moment in JC Jackson. From a logistical standpoint, the Patriots do have a good amount of cap space available heading into 2021, so carrying that $16 million is not exactly going to break the bank for the Pats. There's also something to be said about a player entering his walk year. A lot of times they're more highly motivated to prove that they can still play the game

at a high level and therefore try to get as much as they can on the open market. Do the Patriots take that chance? Do they let Stephon Gilmore enter the final year of his contract knowing full well that he may play his way directly out of New England? At that point, they get nothing for him. I know they'd still get a compensatory draft pick, but let's face it, even Bill Belichick and the Patriots' brain trust knows that Stephon Gilmore is worth a lot more than that. Will he be a trade candidate this offseason?

Several fans and media analysts seem to think that he might be, and it's hard to argue that the Patriots won't at least consider moving Stephon Gilmore. They would gain some cap space, they could get a pretty good return, whether it be draft picks or even NFL-ready talent, but here's the bottom line on this one, at least for me, folks, and why I don't believe Stephon Gilmore will be moved. The value he provides on the field is simply far too great, and this defense, especially the secondary, is not ready to play at an elite level without him. If I'm Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots brain trust, I'm sitting down with Stefan,

I'm working out a long-term contract extension, one that keeps him in New England at least through 2022, that would lower his cap implications for 2021, and then next offseason, maybe with a year more of seasoning, maybe J.C. Jackson is finally ready to take that step to the next level. And speaking of J.C. Jackson, let's take a look at him for a moment. Now, believe it or not, Jackson is in a much more delicate position than Stephon Gilmore is right now. He's actually set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 17th. That's if the Patriots don't sign him to a restricted free agency tender before that date. On the field, you can make the argument that J.C. was probably their most productive and definitely their most reliable cornerback all season long. Allowed only 34 catches on 67 targets,

allowed 587 yards. He did give up five touchdowns on the year, but he also ranked second in the league with nine interceptions. You talk about bright futures, J.C. Jackson has it. He's one of the better cover cornerbacks in football. He really plays that ball hawking style that can make him a star in the NFL and for the New England Patriots for many years to come. So based on all that, why would you want to let somebody like that walk away from the team? Well, the good news is, folks, I don't believe that the Patriots will let him walk away. They can keep him under contract at least through 2021, and they can assign him either a first, a second, or even a third round level tender, which means that if JC were to go out on the market and sign an offer sheet with a team, that team, in addition to signing JC to play cornerback for their team,

would also have to surrender that same level draft compensation back to the Patriots. That's why players that are assigned a first level or a second level tender are usually not heavily pursued in free agency, if at all. Now, if a player is assigned a third level tender, I think there would be a lot of teams in the league just chomping at the bit to sign someone of the prowess of JC Jackson. Don't forget that this is restricted free agency, which means that the Patriots have a right to match that offer sheet as well. Ultimately, this could all be avoided if the Patriots choose to sign JC Jackson to a contract

extension before all of this comes to a head on March 17th. If I'm being honest, that's exactly what I see happening. I think the Patriots and J.C. are able to work out at least a short-term extension, keeping him in New England for a couple of years and continue to develop him into a role that I feel will end up being cornerback one or the star cornerback of this team. Preferably, that would be under Stephon Gilmore, but that may be a conversation for another day. Ultimately, my thought process is that both Stephon Gilmore, but that may be a conversation for another day. Ultimately, my thought process is that both Stephon and J.C. Jackson will be back here in New England for 2021. So that takes care of the two starting side corners, but what about the depth pieces?

Well, the slot corner is probably the most important position other than cornerback one and cornerback two, and right now that's manned by Jonathan Jones, who, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will still be in New England next year and probably beyond. Technically, Jonathan is under contract through 2022. He has a salary cap hit of $7.12 million in 2021. Some may call that a little bit of a hefty price for Jonathan Jones' services, but look folks, he's one of the best slot defenders and such a valuable piece of New England's secondary. He's durable. He appeared in all 16 games and really posted some solid numbers. He surrendered 27 catches on 50 targets, only 299 yards for the year, was credited with surrendering three touchdowns, but he also had a pair of interceptions. And perhaps most importantly, he sees a lot of time on the Patriots special teams unit.

So his value pretty much set in stone. I don't think there's any question that. So his value pretty much set in stone. I don't think there's any question that Jonathan Jones is back in Foxborough in 2021. The rest of the players on the roster, well, you can make arguments for any one of them. Let's start with arguably their number one depth piece, and that's Jason McCourty. Last week here on the pod, when I opened up the midweek mailbag, there was a question about Jason McCourty and J-Mac definitely had a better year in 2019 than he did in 2020. But the one thing that you have to give Jason McCourty, and J-Mac definitely had a better year in 2019 than he did in 2020, but the one thing that you have to give Jason McCourty is he's durable. He appeared in all 16

games during the season. He's one of the more versatile players that they have on staff. He can line up all over the place, from slot corner to box to deep safety to perimeter corner, and his wisdom and experience really make him a valuable member of any unit that he'll join. Jason is also set to enter unrestricted free agency on March 17th, and this is a more interesting one, folks. Even though Jason McCourty brings a great deal of insight, wisdom, experience, versatility, and reliability to the cornerback position, he also did show some regression on the field this year. He surrendered 18 catches on 29 targets for 287 yards, also surrendered four

touchdowns. No other defensive back on New England's roster gave up a higher passive rating than Jason McCourty did at 134.6. That combined with the fact that he played a much more specialized role in 2020 than a much more regular role than he had in 2019 may make Jason McCourty a bit expendable. The one thing that he very much has going in his favor is his twin brother, Devin McCourty. These two guys love playing with one another, and they're both highly revered by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. The question is, will the Patriots feel it's worth it to bring Jason McCourty back on a cheap one-year deal and help him mentor some of the young corners on the roster?

Well, that's going to be a question that the Patriots have to answer. If I'm being honest, and this is painful for me to say, I think the Patriots may be willing to let Jason McCourty walk. They had the emergence of some young corners this year that could take on that depth piece role. And unless he can be had on the very cheap for one year, I think it may be time for the Patriots to consider getting younger at the position, and therefore they may look to part ways with Jason McCourty. If that happens, I think Jason McCourty ends up going to a team that needs a seasoned veteran to help mentor some promising young players at the position. There's also a chance that Jason McCourty may decide to retire. We simply don't know. We know his brother Devin will be back in

2021, but we haven't heard the official statement come from Jason yet. Bottom line, Jason's play in Foxborough for the past few years has been stellar. We'll always remember him coming up very big in Super Bowl 53. The fan in me definitely wants him back. The analyst in me tells me it's not likely. Who knows, maybe Virtue meets in the middle and Jason McCourty will find his way back to Foxborough for 2021. Before we get to a couple of the young guns in the cornerback depth chart, I wanted to mention a player that isn't often thought of as a cornerback, but technically is a part of that positional grouping, and that's Justin Bethel. Bethel is one of the best special teamers in the league. He was a true fixture in the Patriots' kick-and-game operation when it came to special teams, appeared in all 16 games,

and was outstanding. He finished as the team leader in special team snaps and tackles, and also blocked an extra point in Week 7 against the 49ers. Given how special teamers are becoming more and more coveted throughout the league, it wouldn't surprise me to see a team prioritize a guy with Justin's talents and maybe try to bring him in. But because of the fact that he's really not a defensive player, in fact Justin Bethel only played one defensive snap in 2020, he really isn't likely to command top dollar on the market. So the Patriots could end up bringing him back on a cost-effective deal.

That would really help shore up their special teams play, keep it at an elite level. But all in all, I don't think they'll be too aggressive in trying to bring back Justin Bethel unless Matthew Slater decides to retire. If that is indeed the case, then I think the Patriots will prioritize bringing back somebody like Justin Bethel. They'll need his experience. They'll need his leadership. And beyond the shadow of a doubt, they're going to need his prowess in the kicking game

operation when it comes to special teams. Of course, the last thing I or any of us in Patriots Nation want to see is Matthew Slater making the decision to retire. We're not going to talk about that right now, folks. We're going to assume he's back. But even with Matthew returning, I still think it's in the Patriots' best interest to bring back Justin Bethel for the prowess that he provides on special teams. Last but certainly not least on corner, the Patriots do have a couple of young guns that they can possibly build into solid pros.

The first of which is a man that caught the eye of my good friend, the Green King of Sting himself, the legendary Thomas Murphy, who turned me on to cornerback Miles Bryant. Of course, Miles joined the Pats as an undrafted free agent, opened the season on the practice squad, but when he got an opportunity to be elevated to the big club and even get some in-game action, he showed that he could be a pretty capable pro. He finished the season with an interception, just three catches given up on five passes thrown his way.

I think the Patriots like what they see in Miles Bryant. In fact, from those that I've talked to close to the team, they expect Miles to compete for a roster spot this year. Again, if Jason McCourty or even if Stephon Gilmore is not back in New England next year, that's only going to increase the amount of eyes on Miles Bryant. So keep a sharp eye on him, folks. This could be a rising star in the Patriots' cornerback room. The other youngster on the team that might catch my eye is a player that is going to be entering his third season in New England, and that's D'Angelo Ross.

D'Angelo also joined the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent, and he made some strides in training camp, tried to compete for a roster spot. Ultimately, he ended up on the practice squad, and he was elevated to the game day roster for the season finale, but he didn't get into the game and eventually finished the season without getting any playing time in what was his second year in the league. He does have experience in the system. He's still on a very cheap rookie deal. I would say D'Angelo is more of a practice squad candidate,

but if he has a strong training camp, he could end up being a dark horse to make the roster. Ultimately, I think the Patriots take a wait-and-see approach with D'Angelo Ross, much more so than Miles Bryant, who I think they're a lot higher on. I look for D'Angelo Ross to compete with guys like D'Virgin, who came in here out of Detroit. Also, Michael Jackson Sr., who spent a lot of time on the practice squad. They're going to be competing for maybe a roster spot, likely a practice squad spot, but one thing I think we can deduce from this rundown of talent that the Patriots have at the cornerback depth position

is that the future still seems to be bright at corner for your New England Patriots. I know a lot of you are probably screaming at whatever device you're listening to this on, saying, you forgot Jawan Williams. Folks, I didn't forget Jawan Williams. He's still on the cornerback depth chart, but he saw more action at the safety position this year, and if I'm being honest, I think that's where the Patriots employ him in 2021. Speaking of the safeties, it's time to run down that depth chart and take a look at some of the burning questions that the Patriots have at the position. We continue our delve into the defensive backs when Send It to the Secondary Wednesday here on Locked On Patriots continues. But first, Patriots fans, when it comes to getting or staying in shape, nothing feels as good as that feeling of accomplishment, of hitting your fitness goals and feeling

great about yourself. It's a new year, a new dawn, and a new day. So don't delay. Do it today. Hit your upcoming fitness goal this year and Echelon can get you there. Echelon offers the next generation of connected fitness bikes, fitness mirrors, rowing machines, and their Echelon Stride smart treadmill. No matter what your favorite fitness activity, Echelon gives you a fun and challenging workout

right from the comfort of home. The EX7S is Echelon's latest state-of-the-art innovation that takes cycling to the next level. The EX7S connected bike is built with performance, flexibility, and durability in mind, and the EX7S is the bike for competitors at heart. Their world-class instructors will motivate you with thousands of daily live and on-demand studio-level classes, always available when you need them. And unlike their competitors, Echelon is affordable for everyone. And one membership lets up to five family members all work out at the same time. Right now, you can try any Echelon fitness equipment at home for 30 days.

So go to EchelonFit.com slash LockedOn. That's E-C-H-E-L-O-N Fit dot com slash LockedOn. EchelonFit.com slash Locked On. Locked On listeners, NFL analyst Brian Peacock and former NFL scout Matt Williamson host Locked On's Peacock and Williamson every Monday through Friday. Brian and Matt give you the national perspective around all of the NFL, covering all the latest news and insight on every game, team, and move around the NFL.

Get your picks, previews, and much more every weekday with the Peacock and Williamson Podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Patriots fans, you've all heard the phrase, often imitated but never duplicated. I mean, is there a better phrase to describe your favorite football team in Foxborough? Six Super Bowl titles in just under two decades? Yeah, no other NFL team in the modern era can even come close to making that claim. Only the best can provide the best.

And when it comes to protein bars, the only ones who could provide the best healthy, low calorie, and delicious treats you know and love are the ones who provided the best in the first place. So prepare your taste buds for wow and make Bilt Bar your go-to protein bar right now. No one can do it like they do it. 100% real chocolate, soft, easy to chew, and Bilt Bar is available in mouth-watering flavors like cookies and cream, peanut butter brownie, apple almond crisp, lemon almond cheesecake, just to name a few. But Bilt Bar is not only low calorie and low sugar, but it's also high protein and high fiber. Great

for all of you following the keto lifestyle. Bilt Bar has no crazy additives, half the calories of its most popular competitors, and get this, seven times fewer carbs, seven times fewer sugar grams, and more protein. How can it be that good for you and taste that good? Well, folks, all I can tell you is Bilt Bar is just that good. Go to BiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKEDON to get 20% off your next order. Don't delay. Do it today. Use promo code LOCKEDON for 20% off at BiltBar.com.

Patriots fans, we continue our dive inside the defensive backs here on Send It to the Secondary Wednesday on the Locked On Patriots podcast. And in the previous segment, we ran down the cornerback depth chart from Stephon Gilmore to JC Jackson to Jonathan Jones to Jason McCourty and all the players in between. One player that we didn't get to in the previous segment that may have surprised some of you is Joe Juan Williams. The second-year corner out of Vanderbilt, entering his third season in 2021, is technically a cornerback on the depth chart. And when he was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft,

it looked like Jawan was coming in to maybe play on the opposite side of Stephon Gilmore. Try to be that tough physical corner that's not afraid to mix it up with a wide receiver or maybe even a tight end. But in 2020, Jawan Williams was employed more in safety packages. And speaking of safeties, let's delve into that depth chart right now. We'll start with Williams, who, to be fair, was really more of a tight end racer when he was used in specialized circumstances in 2020. Of course, we all remember week one and how he was used in 27 snaps against the Miami Dolphins, primarily to shut down tight end Mike Gusecki. And to be fair, in that role, he did a very good job.

He only allowed one 9-yard catch on two targets. But unfortunately for Juwan, that wasn't exactly a sign of good things to come. He did play in 14 out of the 15 remaining games, but during that 14-game span, he was only on the field for 144 more defensive snaps. He did play a lot on special teams. He did get some looks in the secondary, either in garbage time, or again, used in a much more specialized role, not like he was used against the Dolphins in Week 1.

One thing that you have to give credit where credit is due to to Juwan Williams. He's tough and he's physical. But the Patriots are going to need him to step up in a big way in 2021 if he wants to be considered a valuable member of this secondary. That'll likely mean a continuation of the specialized role that he's used in, maybe covering tight ends, maybe being employed as a third safety in the secondary. Juwan seems to look a little more comfortable in that role then as a corner, and he'll also continue to be a big presence on special teams. Now I'm not saying that his

position on the depth chart is going to change, I'm simply saying that in more of a practical term, I think Jawan Williams might end up lining up in more safety formations than he does as a corner. But the Patriots are just as deep at the safety position. Some even make the argument that they might be a little bit deeper at safety than they even are at corner. And one of the big reasons why is the 2020 season had by rookie Kyle Duggar. Duggar had an extremely impressive rookie season. He played primarily as a box safety, but was moved all around the formation. And in my opinion, he showcased each and every time he took the field that he has elite athletic skills, natural instincts, and I think can be a real star at the position for the Patriots

for many years to come. Steve Balistrieri and I talked yesterday about young cornerstones of this defense, and we mentioned guys like Josh Uche, Chase Winovich. Kyle Duggar definitely deserves to be in that conversation, and if he can build on a really impressive rookie season in 2020, he may be in that conversation a lot sooner than people think. I was so impressed with the rookie season that Kyle Duggar had, and the future is very bright for this kid. Hopefully, for Patriots fans, it's going to be a long future in Foxborough. And one of the things I love the most about Kyle Duggar is he's such a willing student. He's learning as much as he can from the position out there from some of the best to play the game, including a player that I cannot wait to prognosticate on. You all know I love me

some Adrian Phillips, and Adrian is under contract through the 2021 season, only has a cap hit of $3.5 million in 2021, so in my opinion, it's a no-brainer. There is no chance he does not come back to the Patriots next year. Adrian appeared in all 16 of New England's games, registered a pair of interceptions, also notched a sack, led the team in tackles, and in my humble opinion, really was one of the leaders of this team's defense in my humble opinion, really was one of the leaders of this team's defense in a year where they desperately needed the type of leadership and versatility that Adrian Phillips can provide.

I'll even admit that he had to line up a lot more as a positional linebacker than I really thought he was going to have to. That goes to show you how much the Patriots had a dearth at that position. But Adrian Phillips did a great job in that role. And if the Patriots' defense is healthier and more complete this year, he may not have to assume that star position as much, meaning that he would be needed to bolster the linebacking core, also playing a prominent role in the front seven and in the defensive backfield. He can primarily focus on being a defensive back. That's where Adrian Phillips can really shine. Let's also not forget Adrian's

special teams prowess. He can play all over the field when it comes to kick and punt return coverage, and that continues to make him versatile. Look, I know I love to sing the guy's praises, but I was on the Adrian Phillips train from the moment that he signed here. I was so glad to see him have a productive and stellar year in 2020. I look for that to continue in 2021, and at just 28 years of age, he still has a good amount of fuel left in that tank. Before we get to the elder statesman on the Patriots safety depth chart, let's take a look at a couple of pieces, veteran pieces, that played a nice role in 2020, but might end up being expendable in 2021, especially if a prominent member of that safety team decides he's going

to return to Foxborough. The first of which is Cody Davis. Cody signed a one-year deal with the Pats last offseason. He is set to enter unrestricted free agency on March 17th. Now, Davis is listed as a safety for logistical purposes, but his primary contributions come on special teams. He essentially took over the role vacated by Nate Ebner when he signed as a free agent with the New York Giants last year. Davis did miss three games with the Patriots with a rib injury in 2020, but he still finished third on the team in kicking game snaps, and he registered nine tackles, and he even had a pretty nice blocked field goal attempt that was returned for a

touchdown by his teammate and fellow safety Devin McCourty. And folks, we will get to Devin McCourty in a moment. You know I love me some special teamers, and again, special teams are starting to get a lot more light shed on them with a lot more NFL teams. Before, it used to be that the Patriots were kind of in on the secret. Now it seems a lot of other teams are in on the secret. And that could lead to Cody Davis getting a more lucrative offer out on the open market. If that happens, Patriots are not going to break the bank to bring him back.

But make no mistake about it. They would love to have Cody Davis back. They loved having that Nate Ebner type role that filled that specialized role on special teams. If he's able to be brought back at the right price under the right conditions, I think bringing back Cody Davis is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Terrence Brooks, who I like a lot as a player and definitely as a person. But the emergence of Kyle Duggar and Adrian Phillips, and the likely return of an old favorite in the Patriots' safety room, I just unfortunately see Terrence Brooks as the odd man out. He's also set to enter unrestricted free agency on March

17th, and even though he played a pretty large role in the kicking game on special teams playing 35.2% of his snaps, he really was never able to crack that trio of rotational safeties that the Patriots had this year with Devin McCourty, Adrian Phillips, and Kyle Duggar. Because he was used pretty sparingly on defense, and because of the fact that several other players offer a greater amount of special teams prowess, I think Terrence is the odd man out, and I don't think the Patriots make an attempt to re-sign him. Of course, I could be wrong. He does know the system. If the Patriots find that some other players are willing to leave, then all of a sudden

they may give a strong look at Terrence Brooks. But ultimately, and unfortunately, I say he's played his last game in Foxborough. But two players that have not played their final game in Foxborough are two well-loved veterans up here in this area. And I start with beloved safety Devin McCourty. Devin played in all 16 games this year. He registered a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and of course the aforementioned block field goal that he scooped up and ran back for a score. On top of it all, Devin actually served as the Patriots defensive signal

caller for most of the year. He took over that role from Juwan Bentley earlier on in the season. At 33 years of age, this guy just continues to prove how valuable he is to this franchise, and most importantly for this team on the field. Devin has yet to officially state that he's coming back to New England, but all indications are that he's looking to give it at least one more go, play at least one more season for the Patriots. It would be a major surprise if anything changed between now and the start of training camp, saying that he would retire, but he is under contract for the remainder of 2021. He does have a salary cap hit of $11.15 million in 2021, but this is a guy that's worth every bit of that, folks, for everything that Devin McCourty brings to the field,

both on and off when it comes to the Patriots franchise. One of my favorite guys that I've ever covered here in New England, and I think he'll play a role very similar to the one he had the last few years. And make no mistake about it, he might be an elder statesman in this defensive backfield, but he's still very capable of being a starter, a productive one, and make big plays when the Patriots need it. Last but certainly not least is a player that didn't see action at all in 2020, but figures to see prominent action for the Patriots in 2021. I'm talking about a player that opted out due to COVID-19, but is still among the premier

players at his position in the NFL, and that's Patrick Chung. A lot of us wondered throughout the 2020 season whether or not Patrick Chung might have played his final game in New England. A lot of people were wondering about the opt-out. He had considered retirement prior to signing the contract extension with New England to keep him under contract here through 2024. But in the last couple of weeks, Patrick has taken to social media to indicate that he will indeed return for another season starting in 2021.

And as a result, I don't expect him to be playing anywhere other than Foxborough. Chung still brings a great deal of physicality, versatility, and as a result, I don't expect him to be playing anywhere other than Foxborough. Chung still brings a great deal of physicality, versatility, and experience that just simply can't be duplicated. For that reason alone, he's a valuable member of this secondary. The one thing that I do wonder, however, is the role that he'll play. Don't forget, Patrick Chung primarily played that star position that I talked about when it came to Adrian Phillips, that safety-linebacker hybrid. Adrian played that role so well this year that you have to wonder whether or not he and Patrick may rotate a little bit in 2021. If that's the case, it might mean a little less wear and tear for Patrick Chung, and pairing himself alongside a guy like Adrian Phillips

is certainly not a bad way to make a living, at least on the football field. Also, I look for Patrick to be a mentor to Kyle Duggar. Much like Chung and Devin McCourty before him, Duggar has the ability to be the anchor of this safety position for many years to come in New England. Playing alongside a guy like Patrick Chung is something I expected him to do in 2020. Of course, COVID-19 put a wrench into those plans, but I look for a bigger jump for Kyle Duggar this year, and one of the big reasons why is because he'll have Patrick Chung right alongside him, showing him the ropes and helping to cultivate

him into the player he can become. That being said, the Patriots are not just bringing back a mentor, they're bringing back a guy that can definitely still make plays on the field. He's great at covering tight ends. That's something that the Patriots did struggle with when it came to 2020, and I look for Chung's return to help shore that up in 2021, and thus keep the Patriots did struggle with when it came to 2020, and I look for Chung's return to help shore that up in 2021 and thus keep the Patriots secondary among the more elite units when it comes to the NFL in the upcoming season. So folks, there's my deep dive into the Patriots' defensive backfield here on Send It to the Secondary Wednesday on Locked On Patriots. And while I'll admit my choices are probably a little more on the sentimental side, I think a logistical argument can be made for keeping the guys on staff that I believe the Patriots. And while I'll admit my choices are probably a little more on the sentimental side, I think a logistical argument can be made for keeping the guys on staff that I believe the

Patriots will employ in 2021. But what are your thoughts? Do you think the Patriots are better off retaining the amount of talent that I've indicated today, or do you think Bill Belichick and company are better suited to clean house and bring in some new blood at both positions? As always, folks, I love hearing what you have to say, so drop me a line on Twitter at MDABATEFPC, or if you prefer, tag the Locked On Patriots account at LO underscore Patriots and share your feedback and send it to the internet, and I would love to continue this discussion with all of you. And don't forget that even though we are more than halfway through your work week now,

Locked On Patriots will continue to bring you the latest news notes and analysis from Foxborough and continue our breakdown of positional depth charts, draft analysis, and standout performers from 2020. So to ensure that you do not miss a single second of the action, download and subscribe to the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify, Radio.com, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you're staying locked into Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate.

As always, I thank each and every one of you for listening today and for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, always and continue to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.