#41 Cyrus Jones, CB
The Patriots second round pick in the 2016 draft, Cyrus Jones, did not live up to expectations in his rookie year. The first-year cornerback and return specialist finished last season with seven total tackles and five fumbles.
Two weeks ago, Jeff Howe tweeted that Jones was continuing to have difficulty fielding punts:
Cyrus Jones misplayed several punts but it was a tough day for anyone catching the ball. Receivers dropped five passes in team drills.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) May 25, 2017
Jones’ was an electric return man during his final season at Alabama, posting 530 yards and four touchdowns on 42 punt returns.
Despite his struggles in last month’s OTA, Howe noted that Jones was eight for eight while fielding punts on Tuesday:
Cyrus Jones fielded all eight punts today in tough conditions.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 6, 2017
On Day 3, Mark Daniels tweeted that Jones’ faced another snag as he muffed his first punt of mini-camp:
Cyrus Jones muffed the first punt that came to him today. He was perfect in the first two practices this week.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) June 8, 2017
As a cornerback, NESN’s Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) pointed out that Jones had first team reps manning the slot:
Cyrus Jones was the top slot corner today. Yesterday, it was Justin Coleman; on Tuesday, Jonathan Jones. Rotating those guys through.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) June 8, 2017
When asked about Jones during his Thursday press conference, Belichick praised the development of all of the team’s second-year players:
"“Yeah, I think I talked yesterday about all those second year guys. I think they’re all kind of in the same category. They’re way ahead of where they were last year. We’ll see how all that translates into training camp and preseason games.”"
The Patriots will likely carry five cornerbacks on the roster in 2017. Gilmore, Butler, and Rowe will take the top three spots while Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones, and Justin Coleman duel for the slot corner role.