When the Patriots signed Carlton Davis III in free agency last year, many believed their secondary would be among the best in the NFL. Pairing the cornerback with Christian Gonzalez, already considered a top-5 player at his position, would restore the dominant cornerback room the Patriots were known for during their dynasty years.
For the most part, that's what we've seen from the duo since.
The only issue they've run into is Davis' availability. Although he played in all 17 games last year, he got banged up quite a bit, which has continued this season. He's already missed four games with a neck injury, which has taken a toll on the secondary's production.
He's expected to return for their Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins on Sunday, and while that's a big deal, the roster still has room for improvement. The team doesn't need to address it with any real urgency, but when you see a former player who wants to return, especially one who was productive during his tenure, you should seriously consider signing him.
That's the case right now with cornerback Alex Austin, who responded to a tweet from a Patriots fan asking him to "come home."
I miss y’all too!! Lord knows 🙏🏽 https://t.co/vlyoByflRN
— Alex Austin (@kinnggalex) October 26, 2026
He was released earlier this month by the Cowboys, not suiting up for a single game with them this year, and now he's looking for a new team to continue his NFL career. The Patriots might be the right one.
Reuniting with Alex Austin might be the next move for the Patriots
Because the cornerback room has dealt with so many injuries this season, with backups Channing Canada, Karon Prunty, and Charles Woods missing time over the last few weeks, the group has struggled to play elite football the way the Patriots have become known for.
With Davis and Gonzalez sitting out a few games due to injuries, others have had to step up in their place, and while some have done so admirably, many misses led to big plays by their opponents' receivers.
Austin could help level that out, as he is familiar with the Patriots' system and thrived during his three seasons in New England. He wasn't a No. 1 cornerback, but he was productive and seemed on the cusp of his prime, which led many to wonder why Vrabel and Co. didn't keep him for the 2026 season.
Given their current cap space situation and the decreasing likelihood of making a trade before the deadline, signing a player like Austin is exactly what the team needs right now.
He would come cheap, and they would get a solid backup for game day who already knows the defense and can be thrown in on day one. He seems more reliable than some of the others on their roster, and that is invaluable if more injuries keep starters out longer.
It's a low-risk, high-reward situation for the Patriots, and it's hard to argue against them jumping at the opportunity.
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