The Developmental Need At Corner

[mgteich]

We have reasonable set of CB's for 2018, with a couple of kids likely to make the Practice Squad. IMHO, we need a replacement for C Jones who would be likely to fight for reps in 2019.

2019 FREE AGENTS
UFA Rowe
UFA McCourty
RFA J Jones

SIGNED
Gilmore
C Jones

We have the kids who would back as ERFA's if they make the 53: D Jones, Travis and Lewis

 

[RobertWeathers]

We have reasonable set of CB's for 2018, with a couple of kids likely to make the Practice Squad. IMHO, we need a replacement for C Jones who would be likely to fight for reps in 2019.

2019 FREE AGENTS
UFA Rowe
UFA McCourty
RFA J Jones

SIGNED
Gilmore
C Jones

We have the kids who would back as ERFA's if they make the 53: D Jones, Travis and Lewis

Kyed is high on Lewis
There’s Reason To Believe Patriots Really Like This Undrafted Cornerback

 

[patsinthesnow]

We've been pretty good at finding depth through the UDFA ranks (obviously can't count on it):

2017 Kenny Moore - depth CB/started some games for Indy
2016 Cre'Von LeBlanc - depth CB for Bears
2016 Jonathan Jones - depth CB/hopeful starting slot CB 2018
2015 Justin Coleman (signed after cutdowns) - starting slot CB 2015, depth CB 2016, traded 2017 & starts for Seattle
2014 Malcolm Butler - legend

Ryan Lewis or a 2018 UDFA could be next.

 

[mgteich]

I find it especially interesting that we paid him as a roster player.

Kyed is high on Lewis
There’s Reason To Believe Patriots Really Like This Undrafted Cornerback

 

[50-yard-line]

I'm betting that getting McCourty to extend won't cost all that much. he really wants to be here.

 

[mgteich]

I'm betting that getting McCourty to extend won't cost all that much. he really wants to be here.

best to do it before the season starts

 

[farn]

NE’s best seasons usually feature one (or no) star corners. Gilmore is the star, therefore I’d not be surprised to see BB « go with what he’s got ». UDFAs have been all over this secondary in the last 20 years. I’d suspect that will continue.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Davis of auburn and Oliver of Colorado are two impressive corners that we can get in the early second round, that would be instant starters for us.

Rowe, Rowe, Rowe your sorry boat over to slot receiver coverage, so we can all live merrily, merrily, merrily ever after.

Averitt or brown of Alabama would be two udfa’s that I think could make our team.

 

[maineman209]

I'm betting that getting McCourty to extend won't cost all that much. he really wants to be here.

Which McCourty?

 

[maineman209]

Kyed is high on Lewis
There’s Reason To Believe Patriots Really Like This Undrafted Cornerback

After following his Twitter for awhile now, I'm pretty sure that Kyed is high most of the time.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

How about Tremon Smith or Keion Crossen? The Patriots have met with each player. They both ran in the 4.32 range. Looks like we want to add some speed there late in the draft or UDFA.

Shout out to @manxman2601 for the pro tip.

Low level of competition, but he's fast and feisty:

 

[RobertWeathers]

After following his Twitter for awhile now, I'm pretty sure that Kyed is high most of the time.

I think he's a new dad. He lacks sleep.

 

[Jackson 2]

I think he's a new dad. He lacks sleep.

And sex...

 

[maineman209]

Here's how I see the current CB group ...

.. Gilmore - very good, relatively young, under contract thru 2021
.. Jason McCourty - likely to be solid, but probably not a long term contributor (turns 31 in August)
.. Jon Jones - more than merely a serviceable backup/ST-guy, was statistically slightly better than even Butler last season (2018 RFA)
.. Rowe - could be good, if he could stay healthy; UFA at the end of the season
----------
.. Cy Jones - low confidence due to his lack of performance/contributions before his injury
.. Ryan Lewis - highly touted, but untested in live fire
.. Jomal Wiltz - a complete cipher

-- While Jon Jones appears to have the potential to be very good, it's still uncertain (except perhaps to the coaches).
-- If Rowe continues to have trouble staying healthy, he may not be renewed for 2019 (and might be good for a 2020 comp pick).
-- Given Jason's age, it seems unlikely that he'll continue past 2019.

I definitely think there's room/need for a developmental prospect - not necessarily a guy from one of the Pats current first 2-3 picks, but possibly more than a UDFA.

This possible roster opening is among the reasons I think that a trade down for more picks is more likely than a trade up for one "special" prospect this year.

 

[patriot1136]

I don't watch much NCAA. What was the deal with Ryan Lewis in college? Was he that impressive?

 

[oceansizer]

Agree but.....if with pick 31st Alexander is available I will think twice and probably take him. To me Alexander along with Ward is a pure talent and idea of having him thrills me.

 

[Love The Drake]

Here's how I see the current CB group ...

.. Gilmore - very good, relatively young, under contract thru 2021
.. Jason McCourty - likely to be solid, but probably not a long term contributor (turns 31 in August)
.. Jon Jones - more than merely a serviceable backup/ST-guy, was statistically slightly better than even Butler last season (2018 RFA)
.. Rowe - could be good, if he could stay healthy; UFA at the end of the season
----------
.. Cy Jones - low confidence due to his lack of performance/contributions before his injury
.. Ryan Lewis - highly touted, but untested in live fire
.. Jomal Wiltz - a complete cipher

-- While Jon Jones appears to have the potential to be very good, it's still uncertain (except perhaps to the coaches).
-- If Rowe continues to have trouble staying healthy, he may not be renewed for 2019 (and might be good for a 2020 comp pick).
-- Given Jason's age, it seems unlikely that he'll continue past 2019.

I definitely think there's room/need for a developmental prospect - not necessarily a guy from one of the Pats current first 2-3 picks, but possibly more than a UDFA.

This possible roster opening is among the reasons I think that a trade down for more picks is more likely than a trade up for one "special" prospect this year.

Unless it's a franchise QB, the next Willie Mac Seymour or Von Miller.

 

[maineman209]

I don't watch much NCAA. What was the deal with Ryan Lewis in college? Was he that impressive?

Kind of a "senior year wonder". After compiling a whopping 24 total tackles in his first three seasons at Pitt (as a bench reserve), he became a starter as a senior and posted ...
- 79 total tackles
- 8 PBU, 2 INT
- 1.5 TFL and a sack

Average size (5110/192); very good, but not spectacular testing numbers ...
- 4.37/40, 1.59/10yd
- 16 reps
- 35" vert/128" long jump
- 4.34 shuttle
- 6.87 3-cone

The Pats added Lewis to the PS on Sept 22nd, a couple-three days after the Texans released him from their PS (similar situation with McCarron, coincidentally). Apparently, some team tied to poach Lewis off the Pats PS in early October, so the Pats raised his salary to the minimum for an active-roster player (from about $134k to $465k -- a very big jump). That would indicate a significant interest on their part, I think, and Kyed has been making a big deal out of that.

 

[maineman209]

Unless it's a franchise QB, the next Willie Mac Seymour or Von Miller.

Unless it's a prospect who the Pats are certain will provide such great value that they're willing to leave a potential hole or two in the roster at other positions.

 

[mgteich]

Unless it's a prospect who the Pats are certain will provide such great value that they're willing to leave a potential hole or two in the roster at other positions.

Yes, it certainly possible that we have the pick of the front 7 players at 9 or 10, or even a player that we really want at 15. After all, a guard and 2 safeties seem likely to be drafted in the top 10.