Despite not seeing nearly as much “cat” coverage as I thought we would based on Mike Vrabel’s comments from that March press conference announcing a number of free agent signings, including cornerback Carlton Davis - “You got this cat, I got that cat” - the Patriots' secondary became one of the clear strengths of the football team late in the season and throughout the playoffs.
That’s not to say there aren’t questions that need to be answered, but if you told me they ran it back with the same group, maybe adding a draft pick to the mix, I wouldn’t argue.
However, there is a nuclear option, which I explore below.
UNDER CONTRACT: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Marcellas Dial, Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley
FREE AGENT: Alex Austin
We went from wondering if Gonzalez was an ideal fit for what Mike Vrabelwanted to do on defense to now just assuming the Pats will pay that man his money. Gonzalez wasn’t as flawless down the stretch and in the postseason as some would have you believe, but he was damn good. He is a no-doubt blue-chipper on a roster that doesn’t have too many of those guys. You have to give him the cash, right? That would be my preference, but might this be the ultimate sell-high scenario?
Sauce Gardnergot flipped after signing his huge extension and brought back a pair of first-round picks. If someone called and put that offer on the table, would/should the Pats consider/bite? I understand the allure, though you’re likely getting picks that are more likely in the back half of the first round than in the top 10 (those teams tend to hang on to their selections).
But - and this is a big but - there is no guarantee you get a player even remotely as good as Gonzalez. He can and was a weapon for this team when that switch flipped against Baltimore.
That leads me back to how much it’s going to cost. Gardner is the highest-paid corner in football, with an AAV of $30.1 million. The Texans' Derek Stingley got more guaranteed money ($89 million) than Sauce ($85 million). Gonzalez will get north of this. And then Drake Maye will probably double the AAV and guaranteed cash a year later. Yes, I know he’s not a cornerback, but bills are coming due.
Meanwhile, do you know who currently has the 14th most guaranteed money amongst cornerbacks? None other than Davis ($34.5 million). You know the year went better than expected when Davis, who had never played a full season during his NFL career, did that for the Pats (the Vrabel magic touch?).
He was good, too, especially in the postseason. The perfect 2nd banana to Gonzalez. Now we can argue if they overpaid a little, but when you don’t develop your own players, this is how life goes. Davis will turn 30 at the end of next season, and if the Pats can get something comparable from him in year two, he’ll have been well worth the money.
As we turn our attention to the slot, Jones had a terrific year. As usual, the local media got a little slap-happy thinking he was a Pro Bowl corner, but for much of the season, the pint-sized product out of Houston was the team’s best player in the secondary. Yes, the height and shorter arms can be a problem sometimes - we saw it in the Super Bowl - but Jones has a ridiculous compete level and a toughness that is evident in every phase, but especially against the run. In fact, when the Pats were best against opposing ground games, Jones’ willingness to fill gaps and play bigger than he is was critical. Even after his in-season extension, the 27-year-old only gets $3.7 million in cash next season. That’s a hell of a bargain.
Beyond that, the Pats got various contributions from Woods, who was claimed off waivers just prior to the season for his special team ability, but he eventually became the first guy off the bench. Austin had a terrific training camp but struggled trying to hold down the fort when Gonzalez missed the first month of the season with a hamstring. Then he got hurt, and now he’s free to go anywhere. I’d consider bringing him back, but for a low number. Otherwise, let’s see who Minor, Mr. Irrelevant, is capable of. The team hung on to him all season, and there were some positive reports about his effort and attitude.
Dial was having a decent ramp-up to the season before he tore the ACL, while Crossley had a nice camp but was cut, returned to the practice squad late in the year, and was cut again. He recently signed a futures contract.
FREE AGENTS
Let’s be real, the only way the Pats are spending any real money at this position in the offseason would be if they decide to move on from Gonzalez. So, take that under advisement as I present to you a short list.
1. Alontae Taylor(27 years old, New Orleans) - I like this player. A lot. Taylor’s got the length you want from a lead corner, but also the physicality Vrabel craves. Think Jones, but in a 6’1” frame. Not only that, but Taylor is considered an A+ teammate. He won’t come cheap. In fact, he might end up bagging the biggest contract in this position group (4 years, $77 million is the high projection, 3 years and $30 million the low end)
2. Jamel Dean (29 years old, Tampa Bay) - He’s a good cover corner when he’s on the field (he gets hurt a lot). The Buccaneers played plenty of man, and Dean stood up to it. QBs had a pathetic pass rating of 48,9 when throwing at him last year. That number was the best in the league. PFF estimated a two-year contract for $27 million ($14 mil guaranteed).
3. Joshua Williams(26 years old, KC) - He barely played this season. 17 snaps total. That’s not inspiring, is it? But he had been an effective player for the Chiefs prior to, and at his age, you could look at it and say, “Could he start for us?” or “Could he start for us for a week or two (like Austin)?” Because of his lack of PT in 2025, he will come cheap (1 year, $1.25 million). Williams is not a good tackler, for what it’s worth.
4. Roger McCreary(26 years old, LA Rams) - McCreary is on the list because he’s a former Tennessee Titans/Vrabel pick, taken in the 2022 2nd round (35th overall). But he’s primarily been a slot corner - though he played outside in the playoffs - and the Pats just gave Jones the extension. Seems unlikely, but he’s not expected to command big dollars, so you can’t completely rule it out if the Pats wanted a starter-level player to bolster depth. PFF estimates $3.5 million for one year.
Others of note: Josh Jobe (28 years old, Seattle), Montaric Brown (27 years old, Jacksonville), Jaylen Watson(27 years old, KC)
