Patriots Position Switch: Devin McCourty as a wide receiver?
As New England Patriots training camp opens today, we are continuing our light hearted Patriots Position Switch series by picturing star safety Devin McCourty playing wide receiver.
We know that McCourty has been one of the best safeties in the NFL over the past few seasons. Certainly, McCourty makes a better pro safety than cornerback, a position he starred at as a rookie but struggled in ensuing seasons. There’s a reason Bill Belichick made a midnight call to keep McCourty from signing with the Jaguars in 2015 free agency.
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The traits that make McCourty such a good safety would serve him well at wideout: speed, agility, and range. McCourty’s speed would make him tough to cover; his agility would allow him to cut on a dime and adjust his route accordingly; his range would help McCourty stretch or widen the field, depending on this situation.
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Now, one thing that hinders McCourty from time to time is his slightly undersized stature. But at 5-foot-10, McCourty is as tall as Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. McCourty wouldn’t be an A.J. Green or Julio Jones type on the outside by any means, but his nimble footwork would serve him well as a slot receiver.
Recent installments in Patriots Position Switch Series:
Patriots Position Switch: RB Dont’a Hightower
Patriots Position Switch: CB Julian Edelman
Patriots Position Switch: LB LeGarrette Blount
Patriots Position Switch: CB Dion Lewis
Of course, one thing McCourty would have to improve on as a wide receiver is his hands. Since racking up 13 interceptions in his first three seasons, McCourty’s hands haven’t been as solid. He has dropped catchable interceptions, much to the frustration of turnover-hungry Patriots fans.
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Regardless of what position McCourty plays, he is a gifted leader wherever he is on the field. After Dont’a Hightower, McCourty is the next-most important communications center on the Patriots’ defense. He commands the back end, and the Patriots are lucky to have him.
Do you think D-Mac would make a decent wide receiver? Comment below.