The New England Patriots made some significant additions this offseason, putting them in pole position to return to the Super Bowl in 2026. While their most notable additions came on offense, their defense also received a facelift, with Dre'Mont Jones, Kevin Byard, and second-round pick Gabe Jacas the notable additions.
Byard, in particular, is an impressive signing. Inked to a one-year deal, he led the league in interceptions last season and made his third First-Team All-Pro. He'll replace Jaylinn Hawkins, who had an impressive four-interception breakout season in 2025 before signing with the Ravens in March.
The top-end talent at safety is there without a doubt. Craig Woodson, the team's fourth-round selection in 2025, will start again in his sophomore season after a fantastic rookie season. He played all 21 games across the regular season and playoffs, and his postseason performance was particularly impressive.
Woodson matched his regular-season TFL total (4), doubled his passes defended (6), had his first career interception, and recovered a fumble.
This summer will be the time for the Patriots to find depth across their roster to supplement their starters, and safety is no exception.
Mike Brown has an interesting history that could help him make the Patriots' 2026 roster
While New England's safeties were excellent last season, the team's depth was lacking. Thankfully, neither Hawkins nor Woodson missed time, but 2024 UDFA Dell Pettus was the only player at the position behind them with legitimate safety experience.
While he was a solid piece when called upon, he isn't an ideal starter in the event of an injury.
While New England's other depth options in camp aren't likely to become starting caliber out of the blue, ex-Titan Mike Brown has some exciting traits.
In a recent article from ESPN's NFL Nation, Brown was listed as the Patriots' top candidate for their "biggest surprise [contributor]". Looking at Brown's skill set, numbers, history, and the state of the safety position, it's easy to understand why he was selected.
A UDFA in 2022 out of Miami, Ohio, he initially signed with the Vikings, then made a brief stop with the Packers before re-signing with the Vikings. He was a free agent for a calendar year after his release from Minnesota's practice squad in October 2022, and eventually signed with the Browns' practice squad.
He'd play three games for the Browns before being signed off their practice squad by the Titans, then coached by Mike Vrabel.
He dealt with injuries in 2023 that limited him to nine games, in which he made 7 tackles. In 2024, he saw extended time, playing all 17 games and notching 49 tackles for the Titans. He was limited to only nine games due to knee and ankle injuries last season.
What makes Mike Brown stick out from the competition in New England
Brown's injury troubles have made it difficult for his career to take off aside from his solid 2024 season, but there's reason to believe he has an opportunity to regain that form in New England. Aside from his connection with Vrabel, Brown offers something different to the safety room: size.
Listed by ESPN at 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, he's the only safety to eclipse the 220-pound mark. Despite his size, he doesn't have any difficulty playing deep: 61.3% of his career snaps have come as the deep man.
That will be key, considering Woodson played 55% of his snaps last season as a deep man, and Byard saw 74.4% of his snaps come in the deep third (albeit the Bears' system).
Brown's competition is minimal. Pettus is the top backup as things stand, but it's likely Brown would make the team in addition to the ex-Troy safety should he prove himself this summer. John Saunders Jr. and UDFA Peter Manuma are the only other safeties rostered, while Brenden Schooler would be categorized as a special-teamer (97 defensive snaps in three seasons).
Given Brown's size, connection to Vrabel, and need at safety, Patriots fans should feel excited about the prospect of his potential breakout.
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