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Patriots just signed a cornerback you’ve never heard of

By Jerry Trotta

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 03: Dawson Knox #88 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown after making the catch against Terrance Mitchell #39 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 03: Dawson Knox #88 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown after making the catch against Terrance Mitchell #39 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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It would appear the New England Patriots‘ days of paying a premium to lure free agents to Foxborough lasted all of one offseason.

After last year’s historic spending spree, the Patriots have reverted back to being passive in the first wave of free agency.

Letting JC Jackson leave to sign with an AFC rival is one thing, but trading Shaq Mason, one of the best right guards in the league, for a fifth-round pick after losing Ted Karras to Cincinnati, and re-signing James White, Devin McCourty, Brian Hoyer and Nick Folk have fans questioning the front office’s strategy.

Those complaints won’t subside after New England’s latest move, either.

In the team’s first secondary addition since Jackson signed with the Chargers, the Patriots have signed cornerback Terrance Mitchell, formerly of the Houston Texans, to a one-year, $3 million deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Patriots have signed free agent cornerback Terrance Mitchell.

Don’t feel embarrassed if you’ve never heard of Mitchell before now. The former Cowboys’ seventh-round pick in 2014 has now played for six teams in seven seasons, including the Bears, Browns, Chiefs and Texans. What does that tell you?

Mitchell’s started just 51 of his 83 career games, but 29 of those have come over the last two seasons with the Browns and Texans. It’s by far the most impressive stretch of the Oregon product’s career, as he’s totaled 125 tackles, 23 passes defended, six forced fumbles and an interception to boot.

So what helped the Patriots zero in on Mitchell as a potential target? During his time in Cleveland, he actually crossed paths with New England front office consultant Eliot Wolf for two seasons. Familiarity reigns supreme in the NFL during free agency and we’re led to believe Wolf gave Mitchell a vote of confidence.

Whatever the case, Mitchell marks the team’s first outside signing of the free agency cycle and he’ll join a Patriots’ cornerback room that currently comprises of Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade and Joejuan Williams.

For the sake of Patriots fans’ sanity, we really hope the front office has more tricks up their sleeve as it pertains to bolstering the CB position.

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