Are We Really Ready At Defensive Back?

[mgteich]

How many of the 6 competing for 3 spots would you want on a Top Five Defense? Note that I presume 6 corners and 4 safeties.

MY TOP SEVEN FOR NOW
CB: Gonzo, Wilson (a 3-year starter who is an upgrade to Bryant)
NB: Jones, Jones
S: Dugger, Peppers, Hawkins

COMPETING FOR THREE ROSTER SPOTS (the backup outside corner is the only "key" position)
Austin
Bolden
Wade
Bledsoe
Hearn
Dial

In a sense, the bottom line is that we lost Phillips, Mills and Bryant. We then added Hawkins. I would add two more, at least for camp competition. My choices would be Gilmore and a free safety (even if the safety would be #4 and would be active just in case of injury. Of course, a high-level free safety would be better.

BTW, if you don't think of Wilson as much better than the rest, then we have FOUR open roster spots.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yes I think we are pretty much all set.

I would adjust your chart to give us a top 6 and put Wilson with the group competing for 4-6 spots. And I really like our top 6. I also think Wilson, Austin, Bolden, Bledsoe, and Wade represent good competition for the rest of the spots.

I'm not against signing someone like Gilmore but I don't think it is a necessity like some others on here wish.

 

[borg]

Like Pop Douglas, I worry about Gonzo's durability.

 

[Wozzy]

Where's Mapu?

 

[mgteich]

Where's Mapu?

playing LB

 

[PatsFan2]

How many of the 6 competing for 3 spots would you want on a Top Five Defense? Note that I presume 6 corners and 4 safeties.

MY TOP SEVEN FOR NOW
CB: Gonzo, Wilson (a 3-year starter who is an upgrade to Bryant)
NB: Jones, Jones
S: Dugger, Peppers, Hawkins

COMPETING FOR THREE ROSTER SPOTS (the backup outside corner is the only "key" position)
Austin
Bolden
Wade
Bledsoe
Hearn
Dial

In a sense, the bottom line is that we lost Phillips, Mills and Bryant. We then added Hawkins. I would add two more, at least for camp competition. My choices would be Gilmore and a free safety (even if the safety would be #4 and would be active just in case of injury. Of course, a high-level free safety would be better.

BTW, if you don't think of Wilson as much better than the rest, then we have FOUR open roster spots.

I am very high on Bolden playing opposite from Gonzo I think we'll we Good @ CB.

 

[Wozzy]

playing LB

Hopefully he spent this entire offseason getting stronger and adding muscle... we'll see.

 

[PatsFan2]

Hopefully he spent this entire offseason getting stronger and adding muscle... we'll see.

Mapu better at the very least morph into a decent back-up I hated the selection at the time.

 

[Wozzy]

Mapu better at the very least morph into a decent back-up I hated the selection at the time.

The team could use a fast/quick weakside LB, it seems like they haven't had one in years.

Improving team speed is always a good thing. I have no problem with him putting on some muscle and playing more on the line, Duggar and Peppers have the back end locked up.

 

[PatsFan2]

The team could use a fast/quick weakside LB, it seems like they haven't had one in years.

Improving team speed is always a good thing. I have no problem with him putting on some muscle and playing more on the line, Duggar and Peppers have the back end locked up.

Hopefully those Three Defensive picks hit their strides this year Gonzo - K White and Mapu: BB might have left us a good future Defensively.

 

[Wozzy]

Hopefully those Three Defensive picks hit their strides this year Gonzop - K White and Mapu: BB might have left us a good future Defensively.

Assuming they can stay healthy and they worked hard this offseason, I have a lot of confidence in all three.

"Luck" in football = Health

 

[signbabybrady]

playing LB

Initially when we drafted him I felt the highest upside for him was at LB where he'd be a fast athletic albeit a little undersized. And also as a safety he's buried behind Dugger and Peppers. But it seems like he almost exclusively worked as a Safety last year so until I see otherwise I assume that would still be the plan.

Obviously Mayo could see things differently but again until I see otherwise I'm putting him in the DB position group.

 

[signbabybrady]

Hopefully those Three Defensive picks hit their strides this year Gonzop - K White and Mapu: BB might have left us a good future Defensively.

Health aside I think we already can be pretty confident in Gonzo and White

 

[Love The Drake]

We have some young guys who are athletic and hungry I think we will be fine.

 

[jmt57]

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots utilize Marcellas Dial at corner, or plan to convert him to free safety.

 

[n1997y]

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots utilize Marcellas Dial at corner, or plan to convert him to free safety.

He’s listed as DB and played corner in college, so I can see going either way. That will be something to watch in camp. Personally I’d like to see him get a shot at CB first, just because I’d rather see the team as strong as possible at that position. But there are some other good prospects competing there so moving whichever of them looks best at safety would be okay.

 

[n1997y]

I am very high on Bolden playing opposite from Gonzo I think we'll we Good @ CB.

I’m just hoping his injury didn’t knock his confidence and physical ability at all, and that the recovery time didn’t stunt his development. He was one of my binkies as a rookie, just hope his potential is still as high as it seemed to be coming out of college.

 

[PatsFan2]

I’m just hoping his injury didn’t knock his confidence and physical ability at all, and that the recovery time didn’t stunt his development. He was one of my binkies as a rookie, just hope his potential is still as high as it seemed to be coming out of college.

He was Coached by Prime Time.

 

[signbabybrady]

I’m just hoping his injury didn’t knock his confidence and physical ability at all, and that the recovery time didn’t stunt his development. He was one of my binkies as a rookie, just hope his potential is still as high as it seemed to be coming out of college.

This would seem like a valid concern but he seemed so good last camp and the first few weeks and on a team with not that much to be excited about I think he's on the short list of guys that I'm extremely excited so until we see a reason to worry my expectations remain extremely high for him maybe even a little unfairly high.

 

[203Pat]

If I had to guess they want to see what they have with the young guys before they add anyone. I would think Alex Austin and Isaiah Bolden will be given a shot on the outside opposite Gonzalez allowing Jon Jones to slide back to the nickel spot with Marcus Jones backing him up. Dial and Shaun Wade I think could potentially end up in a hybrid safety/corner role kind of how Jalen Mills was used. The wild card in all of this is Marco Wilson. He has a great skillset athletically and was a solid starter for Arizona for a couple years before a regime change and a terrible season last year.

If none of these guys pan out I would think they give Gilmore or maybe they kick the tires on Ahkello Witherspoon or Patrick Peterson and hope one of the young guys on the roster develops behind the veteran.