Patriots: Who will lead the team in interceptions this season?

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 23: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots reacts after Stephen Hauschka #4 of the Buffalo Bills (not pictured) missed a field goal during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Jonathan Jones

Like teammate J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones originally went undrafted out of college. Still, he was a four-year starter at Auburn under coaches Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn… so it’s not as if he didn’t get his fair share of opportunities competing with and against some of the best players and programs in college football.

That experience eventually proved invaluable for Jones when he ended up with the Patriots back in 2016. Originally contributing primarily on special teams, Jones slowly but surely worked his way into getting substantial reps and minutes on defense. He ended up playing in some capacity in all 16 regular season games and then in three postseason games as a rookie.

The year 2017 saw Jones’ opportunities expand even further. He again played in all 16 regular season games, starting four of them as the team’s nickel cornerback, and helped the Patriots make the playoffs once again before suffering an injury in the opening round of the postseason.

Last year was really the standout season for Jones, though. Across another 16-game season, he set career highs for himself in tackles (56), sacks (1.5), and interceptions (3). He famously locked down the Kansas City Chiefs’ explosive Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game, a performance which helped the Pats make their third straight Super Bowl appearance.

Barring catastrophe, it looks as if Jones’ arrow is decidedly pointing up. If he continues to build on his first three seasons, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t challenge for the top spot among New England’s takeaway artists by season’s end.

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