Going into New England's game against the Raiders, the Patriots were down four cornerbacks, including both starters. Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis had both been dealing with injuries in previous weeks, while rookies Karon Prunty and Channing Canada also both missed the matchup.
While the loss of Prunty and Canada would normally hit Jeremy Springer's special teams unit harder than anyone else, the team needed depth with both starters out. While the matchup ended in a blowout, New England was especially thin at cornerback.
Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, and Kindle Vildor were the only rostered players at the position, and while the team elevated safety Elliott Davison to add depth in the secondary, overrelying on safeties in coverage is a recipe for disaster.
While making do at the position for a game was impressive, relying on depth pieces like Woods and Vildor to be consistent outside won't work. Gonzalez will return against the Jets to stop the bleeding, but as of Friday, the Patriots have three cornerbacks listed as questionable or out.
That begs the question: should the Patriots bring in a familiar face to add depth?
Alex Austin released by Cowboys ahead of Patriots' matchup against the Jets
The team won't face the same cornerback depth issues against the Jets as last week, but several players have injury designations. Davis and Prunty have been ruled out, while Canada is questionable. Jones and Woods were limited at practice during the week.
The team rosters rookie Al'zillion Hamilton to the practice squad, who saw significant preseason action with the Rams before the team released him at the end of August. He signed the Wednesday before the Raiders game, so he wasn't ready for any action.
If push comes to shove, however, the Patriots may need to promote him.
Gonzalez, Jones, Woods, and Vildor are a solid foursome, but they remain somewhat thin at the position. Furthermore, Canada isn't ready to contribute defensively, regardless of health.
This past week, the Cowboys cut ties with 25-year-old Alex Austin, who spent nearly three seasons in New England. A Bills draft pick, Austin headed to Houston before Bill Belichick's 2024 squad. He nabbed his first and only career interception as a rookie, against the team that drafted him.
He played in only nine games during his second season, spending nearly two months on IR. Year three saw him take significant snaps on special teams, with his only defensive action coming in the first four weeks. He averaged 36 snaps per game during that month, allowing a 76.9% completion rate and 158 yards.
On special teams, he totaled 157 snaps, notching five tackles and a 78.6 PFF grade.
The Patriots should look elsewhere for cornerback help
Austin was a strong contributor for Springer's unit last season, but was unable to contribute much as a cornerback. He didn't take advantage of Gonzalez starting the year on IR, and when he eventually missed time with an injury, Woods completely took over at CB4.
Furthermore, the team could have kept him as a restricted free agent but chose not to. He eventually signed with a fellow AFC East team, the Dolphins, but later joined the Cowboys' practice squad after failing to make the roster.
While the 0-5 Dolphins haven't held a lead all year, their pass defense is actually somewhat respectable, 15th in the league. Dallas ranks 21st, and Austin couldn't stick with either team. The former Oregon State cornerback proved to be a talented special teamer last year, but that isn't the role the Patriots are looking to fill.
I recently mentioned former top-five selection Jeff Okudah as a potential practice squad addition. While he had a very poor 2025 in Minnesota, he could be worth bringing in to add length to a secondary that struggled against Brock Bowers. Alternatively, the team could look to add a veteran like Darnay Holmes from Atlanta's practice squad.
While Austin has a place in the NFL, New England's decision to let him walk in the spring suggests a return to Foxborough is unlikely, especially given he didn't record a defensive snap after Week 4 last season.
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