After what was such a hyped offseason, the Patriots were disappointing in their opening game against the Raiders, losing 20-13. While the offense was a central issue, another position looked weak for New England.
With Christian Gonzalez out due to injury, Carlton Davis and company couldn't keep pace with the Raiders' pass catchers and allowed Geno Smith to throw for 362 yards, the fifth-highest total in his career.
Given how impressive the run defense was, the cornerback play was especially disappointing. Despite the omission of Gonzalez from the game day roster, the team was still thought of highly enough to be three-point favorites. Davis vs. Jakobi Meyers seemed imminent, and as I predicted, a combination of Alex Austin, Craig Woodson, and Jaylinn Hawkins covered Brock Bowers, who had a very strong day.
Those two totaled 200 yards, an impressive figure. Rookie Dont'e Thornton also got involved, catching two passes for 45 yards, including a game-sealing 3rd & 20 conversion. Tre Tucker caught a touchdown, too.
Geno Smith and the Raiders had 9 completions of 20+ yards today against the Patriots.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) September 7, 2025
No other offense has had more than 5 such completions so far in Week 1.
The Patriots may need to add another cornerback before it's too late
Despite Gonzalez's imminent return, the Patriots may not have the talent they thought they did at cornerback. Gonzalez, Davis, and Marcus Jones are the trio when healthy, but that might not be enough given their lackluster safeties and inexperienced depth. They'll face Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this week, with Darren Waller likely to play his first game after coming out of retirement, too.
Who exactly could the team add, though?
One option could be veteran Eagles boundary man Adoree' Jackson. He was awful in his first matchup against the Cowboys, recording a 32.4 PFF grade. Jakorian Bennett, whom the team recently acquired in a trade, took snaps over Jackson as the game went on, and perhaps the Eagles like the look of him as a long-term option alongside second-year stars Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean.
Fifth-round pick Mac McWilliams is another player with long-term upside that Philadelphia may opt for as a longer-term option. They could part with Jackson for a day three pick if they find him surplus.
Could former Patriots DPOY Stephon Gilmore make a return to New England? Despite his impressive career, he remains unsigned. As a depth piece behind Gonzalez and Davis, he could make a lot of sense. Corey Ballentine, 29, was elevated from the practice squad and has experience as a cornerback, having played in 32 games and started seven from 2023 to 2024. Perhaps he becomes a staple of the defense.
Christian Gonzalez is in his third season and has played 20 career games, while Davis has yet to play a full season. As good as the duo might be when healthy, it's a rarity. Adding someone through trade, like Jackson, or via free agency, like Gilmore, or finding production from an inside man, like Ballentine, will be key to getting this cornerback room back to its best.