New England Patriots: 30 greatest players in franchise history

• 2x Super Bowl Champion (XLIX, LI)
• 2x Pro Bowl (2010, 2016)
• 4x Second-Team All-Pro (2010, 2012-13, 2016)
• 76 pass breakups, 20 interceptions in 123 career games w/Patriots

Nearly cracking the top-25 all-time of greatest Patriots is defensive back Devin McCourty. In recent years, McCourty has separated himself as one of the better players on Bill Belichick’s defense. The versatile defensive back is the first player we’ll mention that is still active with the team, and he comes in here at No. 26.

McCourty starred in college for Greg Schiano at Rutgers University. New England used its No. 27 overall pick to select McCourty in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has spent his entire NFL career in New England, being a part of two Super Bowl winning teams and two more that got to play for the right to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Right away, McCourty proved to be an impactful player. He made his first of two career Pro Bowls to date, as well as his first of four Second-Team All-Pro designations through the 2017 NFL season. That year saw McCourty record career-highs in interceptions (seven) and pass breakups (17). He also had 60 tackles, 13 assists, two forced fumbles and one quarterback sack.

New England would reach the Super Bowl in McCourty’s second season in 2011. He made back-to-back Second-Team All-Pro squads in 2012 and 2013, but failed to reach the Pro Bowl. McCourty would be a part of New England’s two latest Super Bowl championships in 2014 and 2016.

In 2016, McCourty got back to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. He had 64 tackles, 14 assists, seven pass breakups and an interceptions. This was the first time McCourty made the Pro Bowl as a safety. His first Pro Bowl nod came as a cornerback as a rookie in 2010.

Overall, McCourty may not be as talented as other Patriot defensive backs before him the likes of Mike Haynes, Ty Law or Lawyer Milloy. That being said, McCourty has quickly become the most notable player in the Patriots secondary of the last seven years.

While his play speaks for itself, McCourty might best be known for having an identical twin who also plays in the league, Jason McCourty. The McCourty Twins played at Rutgers in college. While Devin was a first-round talent, Jason fell to the Tennessee Titans in the sixth. Jason had spent the bulk of his NFL career in Nashville. While he was with the Cleveland Browns last season, he now joins Devin in Foxborough for some double trouble in the New England secondary.

Together, the McCourty Twins are expected to help lead the Patriots defense its ninth Super Bowl of the Brady/Belichick era. While Devin is a two-time champion, this will be the first time Jason can safely say he’s playing for a Super Bowl contender. Expect a ton of McCourty action in New England this fall. Exciting times.