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With training camp just around the corner, we're back with another edition of Patriots Depth Projection here on WEEI.com.
What is Depth Projection? It's article series where I’ll be taking an in-depth look at each of New England’s ten position rooms, naming trade candidates, predicting highs and lows, projecting who makes the team, and grading each heading into the 2023 season:
Here’s a look at the rooms we’ve done so far:
Depth projection: Linebackers
Depth projection: Defensive line
Depth projection: Specialists
Depth projection: Offensive line
Depth projection: Tight ends
Depth projection: Cornerbacks
Today we’re looking at New England's safeties, arguably the most talented bunch on the roster:
The Rundown:
Devin McCourty is leaving a massive hole in the Patriots’ safety room.
The three-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler finished his career in New England with 907 tackles, 35 interceptions, a record 12,506 defensive snaps since 2010, and most importantly, three Super Bowl championships.
His leadership, however, is what the club will miss the most. McCourty was a team captain for 12 of his 13 seasons in Foxborough.
The Patriots will attempt to fill said hole with an abundance of rostered talent, including Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, and Jabrill Peppers. They’ll also swing Jalen Mills, who re-signed with the this offseason after originally being released, over from the cornerback room.
Joshuah Bledsoe (who made the team in 2022) and Brad Hawkins will have a shot at breaking through during training camp, while Cody Davis and Brenden Schooler, who are technically safeties, fall into the “specialists” category for this exercise.
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Who we’re sleeping on:
Jalen Mills.
Mills was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh-round of the 2016 NFL Draft and, after playing cornerback for his first four seasons in Philadelphia, switched to safety in 2020 and started 15 games for for the club.
After a season in the back end where he put up 79 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception the Patriots signed Mills to a four-year, $24 million contract - but started him at cornerback for the past two seasons.
After the team re-signed Jonathan Jones and drafted Christian Gonzales this offseason, Mills will be switching back to safety in 2023 (barring any new developments in the arrest of cornerback Jack Jones).
He’ll likely play a true free safety, like McCourty did, and will be tasked with helping replace the perennial leader in the back-end. I think we’re sleeping on how seamless the switch will be.
Surprise cut:
Adrian Phillips.
The Patriots signed Adrian Phillips to a two-year deal in 2020 and, and signed him to a three-year extension last offseason. He was an All-Pro in 2018 for the Los Angeles Chargers and has started 37 games over the last three seasons in Foxborough
As trustworthy as Phillips has been for New England, they re-signed Jabrill Peppers to a new contract this offseason, brought back hybrid defender Jonathan Jones, and as mentioned above, Mills is swapping into the safety room as well. The writing may be on the wall.
Marte Mapu, who the Patriots drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, is also likely to steal some reps at safety this season. Though he's listed as a linebacker on the roster, the former Sacramento State Hornet repped in the back end as well during OTAs and will become a hybrid defender in this amoeba Patriots defense. Though they weren't in pads, Mapu dominated the offseason program and looks to translate to NFL football immediately.
Given all of the above factors, it wouldn’t shock me if New England parts ways with Phillips prior to cut down day.
Trade candidate:
Kyle Dugger.
Similar to Hunter Henry in the tight end projection, Dugger becomes a trade candidate strictly off of his contract situation.
The 2020 second-round pick is entering his fourth season in Foxborough, having just put up a season with 78 total tackles, three interceptions, a sack, and three defensive touchdowns. Option A should (obviously) be to extend his contract and keep him in a Patriots uniform for as long as possible.
If he and the team can’t come to an agreement, however, perhaps they decide to dangle him in the trade market and get some value back as opposed to letting him test free agency next offseason and then walk away with nothing.
This obviously isn’t appealing to read. As I said, option A should be to extend him.
Full roster projection:
In: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills, Jabrill Peppers
Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
Grade heading into 2023:
A.
The Patriots' safety room is, without question, the best on their roster. Even after losing franchise cornerstone Devin McCourty, New England’s top-tier defense is well-equipped to shine again, and it's thanks to the talent they have in the back end.
We’ll be back for another edition of the Patriots Depth Projection on Thursday, where we'll break down the suddenly controversial running back position. Keep it here at WEEI.com as we count down the days until training camp next week.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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