CB Justin Bethel Anyone?

[Ian]

Mentioned it in the thing this morning but there was an interesting note by ESPN's Aaron Schatz recently, who believes Bethel should be someone the Patriots target ahead of camp:

"Let's suggest a depth cornerback who can also help on special teams and bring back Bethel, a former Patriot who spent the past two seasons in Miami," writes Schatz. "Right now, the fourth cornerback is former Raven Shaun Wade, and the fifth is sixth-round rookie Marcellas Dial, so New England could use some help there."

Here are Bethel's recent totals:


Obviously, many of us have talked about the team bringing back Stephon Gilmore, who remains out there. Although, in his piece, Schatz has Gilmore as a potential option in Houston.

 

[Love The Drake]

Honestly my thoughts are this.

What he does best special teams is of less importance than ever.
We have a lot of youth at defensive back with impressive height and or physical skills,
I wouldn’t want to release a promising prospect to bring back an aging player who excels in a position that is being practically fazed out of the game.
Which is why he’s a free agent in the first place.
If this was 5 years ago and he was this age with that skill set he would of never been available this late in the process.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I wouldn’t want him playing cb but if theres room for a ST guy im all for it with the kickoff rule change

 

[Brotherblues]

Throw Dial and Wade and Bolden and whatever kids in the fire. If one emerges from the ashes a true CB who won't be a weak link, great. If not, find more kids next year.

Getting a 34 year old career special teamer to play CB accomplishes nothing for this (or any other) team.

 

[captain stone]

Bethel to replace Schooler? Yeah sure why not.

Bethel to play CB? No thanks. We need a Legit #1-2 Outside CB here, as in, like, yesterday.

 

[Zuma]

34 years old. BB probably wouldn’t and highly doubtful with the Wolf.

 

[TomPatriot]

He couldn’t play corner when he was young. Pass.

 

[JohnJH]

Nope.

 

[farn]

I really liked Bethel when he was here. While I think that ship has sailed (and his CB contributions were limited even then), shout out to his ST play for several years in NE.

 

[Clonamery]

Rather Gilmore on 2yr contract with a big Mayo hug as guarantee.

 

[Real fan 02]

Mentioned it in the thing this morning but there was an interesting note by ESPN's Aaron Schatz recently, who believes Bethel should be someone the Patriots target ahead of camp:

"Let's suggest a depth cornerback who can also help on special teams and bring back Bethel, a former Patriot who spent the past two seasons in Miami," writes Schatz. "Right now, the fourth cornerback is former Raven Shaun Wade, and the fifth is sixth-round rookie Marcellas Dial, so New England could use some help there."

Here are Bethel's recent totals:


Obviously, many of us have talked about the team bringing back Stephon Gilmore, who remains out there. Although, in his piece, Schatz has Gilmore as a potential option in Houston.

Ian,

Honestly I saw nothing in Justin bethel outside of a STs player that would warrant him a spot at CB.. a STs player? sure. However I feel much. More confident in the young guys we already have that all played well, and got NFL experience last season. As of now Gonzo, J. Jones and A. Austin are the starting CBs that I see.

 

[Real fan 02]

Rather Gilmore on 2yr contract with a big Mayo hug as guarantee.

I'd take him and the hugs better than the kick in the ass the team got last few seasons...

 

[Real fan 02]

I really liked Bethel when he was here. While I think that ship has sailed (and his CB contributions were limited even then), shout out to his ST play for several years in NE.

Agreed. STs only though!

 

[Real fan 02]

Bethel to replace Schooler? Yeah sure why not.

Bethel to play CB? No thanks. We need a Legit #1-2 Outside CB here, as in, like, yesterday.

Did u forget about me Cap.. I was the top rated CB heading into week 4... hint: name rhymes with LONZO...

 

[stinkypete]

Meh. Is he better than Austin, Wade or Dial?

 

[Real fan 02]

Meh. Is he better than Austin, Wade or Dial?

No!!!

 

[Zuma]

Former three-time Super Bowl champ would love a return to New England

Veteran safety Duron Harmon is nearing the end of his career, and he would love to finish things out with one last run with the New England Patriots. Harmon was drafted by the Patriots in 2013 and spent seven seasons with the organization. Since leaving in 2019,…

patriotswire.usatoday.com

“That would be the perfect end to this story,” Harmon said, when asked about joining the Patriots, during an appearance on the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast, via NESN.com’s Keagan Stiefel. “I would love to be a part of something from the beginning … because they’re trying to build something. I know they have the right people to do it, so if the opportunity came, I mean, that would be special. That would be a really special way to end my career.”

 

[Pape]

Sure, why not... I'd take Bethel back... Special teams have sucked since he left... and muffed punt recovery is his specialty... and if he's worked in as a spot db, eh, can't be any worse than some of the scrubinis we have on the roster now...

 

[jmt57]

At this point in time the only harm is his taking roster spot #90 away from somebody who is that unlikely to survive roster cuts. The cost will be negligible.

However - Wolf & Co. have gone on the record of stating they prefer to give snaps to younger players that will be around for awhile, rather than aging veterans. Does that apply just to offense and defense, or special teams too?

Special teams throughout the NFL is going to have a completely different look this year- it wouldn't hurt to have a ST specialist.

Here are the Pats top ST players from 2023 with their qty of ST snaps; 7 of the top 10 have departed, creating a bit of a void.

1.) - 407 - Chris Board (Ravens)
2.) - 407 - Brenden Schooler (Pats)
3.) - 378 - Matthew Slater (retired)
4.) - 359 - Jahlani Tavai (Pats)
5.) - 321 - Adrian Phillips (free agent)
6.) - 312 - Mack Wilson (Arizona)
7.) - 217 - Marte Mapu (Pats)
8.) - 209 - Pharoah Brown (Seattle)
9.) - 202 - Cody Davis (retired)
10) - 198 - Ty Montgomery (free agent)

If you look at the the 'real' position of special teamers, there are three groups: linemen, LB/TE guys and 'speed' (DB/WR/RB) players.
Slater, Phillips, Davis and Montgomery all fall into that third group. Some of those 1,099 snaps will be replaced by new guys like Marcellas Dial, but there will still be a need on special teams for that third type of player.

I was very dubious about Justin Bethel when I first saw the thread title, but after looking at the ST numbers above, I'm a lot less hesitant.

 

[Ross12]

I always thought Bethel was underrated, but I highly doubt they’d bring him in to play corner - they’d rather give the kids snaps. As a veteran leader on special teams, maybe.