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Patriots: Ranking positions by strength

By Connor Fulton

Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) congratulates wide receiver Josh Boyce (82) after his touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the the Jacksonville Jaguars 51-17. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) congratulates wide receiver Josh Boyce (82) after his touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the the Jacksonville Jaguars 51-17. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Devin McCourty Patriots
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jason Avant (81) makes a first down catch during the second quarter against New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Safeties

First and foremost, let’s thank the free agency gods that the Patriots were able to retain Devin McCourty last offseason. Without McCourty providing security over the top, Malcolm Butler wouldn’t have made the Pro Bowl and Logan Ryan wouldn’t have had such a good year.

Patrick Chung also stood out in 2015, stepping up to make 85 tackles, second-best on the team behind Jamie Collins. Chung put his nightmare 2013 season with the Philadelphia Eagles even further behind him by doing a good job in coverage against tight ends.

After McCourty and Chung, however, there are question marks, which is why the safeties get ranked relatively low on this list. Duron Harmon may have been a good centerfielder with three interceptions, but he was exposed badly in Week 16 against the New York Jets filling-in for an injured D-Mac.

You have to think that 2015 was Tavon Wilson’s last year in New England. He was seldom used in settled defense, and his special teams skills are in danger of being relegated useless by up-and-coming players like Brandon King.

Jordan Richards looks like a better special teamer than a full-time safety, although the jury is still out on that one. We have to see more from him.

What the Patriots should do over the offseason: Let Wilson go, groom Richards, give Harmon another chance; invest a late-round pick in a safety to introduce freshness into the training camp competition.

Next: 5. Cornerbacks

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