It’s been just a little over three years since the Patriots boasted the deepest cornerback room in football.
With an embarrassment of skill at the position, New England held Sean McVay’s Rams to a single field goal and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, and J.C. Jackson were terrific on the outside, while Jonathan Jones excelled in the slot. But now, that depth has dried up.
A Gilmore hold out led to a trade to home Carolina. McCourty walked in free agency. And with Tuesday afternoon’s franchise tag deadline coming and going, it looks like Jackson is the next man out. He’s looking for top-of-the-market money and is now heading to free agency.
It’s genuinely surprising that the Patriots have been negligent in restocking the cupboard.
With Gilmore and Jackson both entering contract years, Bill Belichick opted not to take a cornerback at any point in last spring’s NFL Draft, even though it was clear at least one (if not both) probably wouldn’t be back.
So now what?
As it stands, the Patriots have five cornerbacks under contract for next season: Jones, Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant, Joejuan Williams and Shaun Wade. It’s a far cry from that 2018 roster; at boundary cornerback, the Patriots need a lot of help.
They use the No. 21 overall pick for an immediate infusion of talent at the position, or they could opt to refill the well with a second-tier free agent.
Here are seven candidates to fill Jackson’s shoes at cornerback in 2022:
Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
If the Patriots are looking to replace Jackson’s ballhawking abilities, they could certainly do worse than Booth. During his last two seasons at Clemson, Booth knocked nine passes down and hauled in five interceptions. Mock drafts have him all over the first round, but he might still be around at No. 21.
Booth sat out the NFL Combine with a quad injury — it’s reportedly not considered serious — but that lack of testing may help him fall right into New England’s lap.
Trent McDuffie, Washington
Though a bit undersized, McDuffie brings the physicality and competitiveness that Belichick always covets in his cornerbacks; he’s a more than willing tackler. A three-year starter in Washington, McDuffie had plenty of experience and showed continued growth.
“I feel like being able to play games, it’s always going to help you,” McDuffie said at the NFL Combine. “Getting that exposure to different offenses, different quarterbacks. The big (emphasis) for me this year was the film study, create an organized plan to really break down teams, break down what offensive coordinators like to do, situational football. And then just going back and having confidence. A big part of being a defensive back is confidence, short-term memory. This year, I really tried to display that on the field and just show what I can do.”
Kaiir Elam, Florida
Elam is another player that would benefit from Belichick. He may have been long gone by No. 21 overall, but regressed during his final season at Florida. It seemed like a mental shortcoming, not a physical one, so it could be corrected.
Still, Elam’s confidence certainly hasn’t wavered; he sounds a bit like Jackson, too.
“I really get excited being on an island by myself because I feel like I’m better than everybody I play against,” Elam said at the NFL Combine. “I’m looking to dominate you because I know the work that I put in. Not just being cocky or arrogant, but I know the work I put in to really excel and go out there and dominate.”
Kyler Gordon, Washington
Another Washington Husky, Gordon has a lot of raw talent but is still in need of refinement. Enter: Belichick. He’s a versatile corner — he’s held his own in both press and zone — and can line up all over the formation, but struggled with consistency. Like McDuffie, Gordon is also an eager tackler in the run game.
The Patriots might be able to trade back in the first round or early second and still nab him.
Charvarius Ward, Chiefs FA
Rather than shelling out $20 million a year to Jackson, Belichick might prefer to give half of that to a player like Ward. Still just 25 years old, the Chiefs are going to have a tough time bringing Ward back because of their cap situation and he’s looking at a deal in the ballpark of four years, $40 million.
An undrafted free agent in 2018, Ward has willed his way into being an NFL starter and been a prominent piece of the Kansas City secondary for the past three seasons.
Kyle Fuller, Broncos FA
After a Jekyll-and-Hyde season in Denver — his snap counts were all over the place — the two-time Pro Bowler is set to hit free agency once again, and it seems unlikely he’ll be back with the Broncos. Now 30 years old, Fuller shouldn’t break the bank and could serve as a placeholder if a draft pick isn’t ready to start right out of the chute.
Though he’s been in the league for eight years, Fuller has yet to win a playoff game, so coming to an operation like Belichick’s may be particularly appealing.
Steven Nelson, Eagles FA
Nelson has been a full-time starter for three different teams over the past four years; he can pick up a scheme quickly. Money led to his release in Pittsburgh ahead of the 2021 season, so if he’s looking to cash in it might not be in New England, but at 29 years old, that long-term market might not materialize. If it doesn’t, he’s another that could serve as a solid Band-Aid as the Patriots look for a long-term answer.
So as it stands, unless Belichick has a rabbit up his sleeve, the Patriots look destined to take another step back at cornerback in 2022. None of these options look superior to Jackson in the short term.
Related content:
How many QBs make more money than Mac Jones? Aaron Rodgers now makes 12 times as much
Patriots free agent James White ‘doing great,’ wants to keep playing football (report)
Tom Brady: Wes Welker shot Jack Daniels before frigid Patriots game in Chicago
