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Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: Justin Coleman

By Connor Fulton

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman (22) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler (16) in the first half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman (22) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler (16) in the first half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Coleman Patriots
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman (22) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler (16) in the first half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

As the next installment in our Yes/No series detailing the New England Patriots’ free agency, this morning we are deciding whether or not the Patriots should re-sign exclusive rights free agent cornerback Justin Coleman.

The answer: YES

After bouncing around several NFL rosters as undrafted free agents often do at the end of training camp (Coleman had stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks before the Patriots signed him a second time in September), Coleman saw his first live action in Week 3. Although he wasn’t spectacular and at times a liability in coverage, Coleman was impressive for the most part in his rookie season.

All told, Coleman appeared in 10 games in the regular season, starting two of those contests. He recorded 17 tackles and five passes defended.

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Coleman missed the last month of the regular season with a head injury, but he roared back in the playoffs, registering two passes defended in the Pats’ two postseason games.

Look, Coleman isn’t going to be a star in this league by any means. But he was certainly better in the nickel role than guys like Rashaan Melvin and Leonard Johnson.

The Patriots should re-sign Coleman in a low-risk, medium-reward maneuver. Along with Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and 2015 seventh-rounder Darryl Roberts, Coleman is contributing to the youth movement in the Patriots’ cornerback corps and needs to be retained.

For more reading on Coleman, be sure to see what our friends over at All For Tennessee had to say about the former Volunteer.

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Next: 5 positions Patriots must address in free agency

Be sure to check back on Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we ponder the future of free agent linebacker Dane Fletcher.

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