Pro Football Focus (PFF) has opined on who they think will be the breakout candidates for each NFL team after the draft has been conducted. Since that encompasses many players from each team, it's an interesting exercise both for them and for those who seek to analyze their conclusions.
Unfortunately, the Patriots' prospects were limited due to poor drafting for some years. There were a few others worthy of consideration, like Keion White, but PFF's selection is the popular and talented Patriots' cornerback Marcus Jones.
We'll start with PFF's reasons for selecting Marcus Jones and then explore how the Patriots may be able to exploit his talents even more at a different position. If you "break out", you accomplish a few things. You help your team to win. You may help yourself to an improved contract. You may also earn yourself some NFL accolades. It's always nice to be recognized. Let's take a look at PFF's choice.
PFF's choice of Marcus Jones as the Patriots' breakout player
PFF selected Marcus Jones as their Patriots' breakout player, and it's an interesting choice. Here's what they had to say about the Patriots' fourth-year cornerback,
"Jones has struggled to be a consistent part of the Patriots defense as he’s battled injury and fluctuating playing time, but in 2024, he played a career-high 586 defensive snaps, which led to career-high grades across the board and plenty of room to grow. Jones is set to man the slot once again this season, this time for Mike Vrabel and his new coaching staff, which should allow for more consistent playing time as long as he’s healthy."
"Jones' health has been an issue, and as a slot cornerback, it seems to limit his ability to make a major impact on the game with interceptions or even pass defended. Those stats are usually reserved for the outside corners.
"In Jones' three years in the league, he's had only three total interceptions, though he was limited to only two games in 2023 due to injury. He did have a hefty 10 passes defended, and for a 5'8" cornerback, that's not too shabby at all. He also recovered two fumbles. All that is to the good for Jones."
But has PFF perhaps missed the boat entirely on Jones? Maybe he could have a breakout season at another position, e.g., at wide receiver or even as a third-down back, a la James White? Let's explore why Jones's best fit for Vrabel may be on offense, not defense.
The Patriots haven't taken advantage of Marcus Jones's explosiveness
Marcus Jones was the 2024 Patriots' most explosive player, bar none. Though Pop Douglas was a more celebrated receiver, when Jones was given an opportunity, he showed lightning with the ball in his hands on offense. So why not play this secret weapon there in 2025?
Mike Vrabel has shown he's not bound to the strictures of the Belichick or Mayo regimes. It's been quite the opposite. He's taken his own path, gone his own way, and forged his trail in constructing his team, as well he should have. Vrabel is a born leader, and leaders, well, lead.
The suggestion here is that Vrabel should shake off the shackles of the past, look to the future, and be bold and innovative with Marcus Jones. Whenever Jones has the ball in his hands on offense, he's electric, to say the least. He's a TD catch (or run) waiting to happen. And that's where things could get interesting for the Patriots.
Vrabel added two other explosive players to the humdrum Patriots' offense in the 2025 draft; They're running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Kyle Williams. Each is a threat to "take-it-to-the-house" whenever they have the ball in their hands. Why not have a third?
Marcus Jones is a solid, if undersized, slot cornerback. He's OK there. But the team doesn't take advantage of his explosiveness at corner. If Vrabel is astute enough to add him to Henderson and Williams on offense, he'll dramatically raise the challenges of defending Drake Maye and the Patriots' reconstructed offense.
Mike Vrabel has an opportunity to show real sagacity in utilizing his players. (Moving Keion White to defensive tackle is another.) He can use Jones as a solid slot cornerback, a third, explosive offensive weapon, a third-down back, or a move-receiver. Jones will be tough to defend against at either. Added to Henderson, Williams, and Drake Maye, the Patriots' offense could be frightening.