New England Patriots: Post-Free Agency Needs on Defense
By Hal Bent
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
SECONDARY:
Newly Added/Retained: Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler (RFA), Brandon King (ERFA)
Departed: Logan Ryan (UFA)
Need Level: Medium
Analysis:
Teams rarely turn-over their starting cornerbacks after winning a Super Bowl but the Patriots are in position to do it again after having cycled through their starters in 2014 following Super Bowl 49. After dumping Brandon Browner and losing Darrelle Revis in free agency, Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan stepped up as a surprising top duo of cornerbacks the past two seasons.
Ryan found his pot of gold in Tennessee as an unrestricted free agent signing with the Titans on a three-year $30 million contract with $16 million guaranteed. Butler, having signed his restricted free agent tender, could still be traded with rumors swirling that New Orleans (who brought him in for a visit) could swing a trade for him prior to the 2017 NFL Draft.
Much of Butler’s wanting to leave New England relates to the Patriots signing Stephon Gilmore in free agency to a five-year $65 million contract with over $30 million in guaranteed money. Butler likely feels disrespected as head coach Bill Belichick builds a secondary focused on long, lean cornerbacks like Gilmore and last season’s pick-up, Eric Rowe.
Look to Super Bowl 51 for the blueprint on defense with Rowe and Ryan on Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. Butler was ostensibly the nickel cornerback covering Taylor Gabriel much of the game. Rowe and Gilmore are the two outside cornerbacks heading into 2017 with Butler most likely moving on to restock the draft capital the Patriots are missing.
With last year’s second-round draft pick Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones and Justin Coleman for depth, the cornerback position hinges on Butler’s status. If traded, New England still has options in free agency with safety Devin McCourty’s twin brother Jason going to be released by Tennessee. Also, the possibility of a healthy, motivated and lighter Darrelle Revis returning to New England is always a possibility.
At safety, the entire unit returns as McCourty is locked in at free safety and Duron Harmon re-signed to return to his third safety role. Patrick Chung, after two excellent seasons, regressed last season and should face competition from 2015 second-round draft pick Jordan Richards. Behind them, special teams aces Nate Ebner and Brandon King are listed as safeties but only show up with the defense in the preseason.