Devin McCourty was about as reliable, steady and trusted a key figure as the Patriots had over the last decade-plus on the defensive side of the ball.
While it’s true you don’t really replace a guy like that with those kinds of varied contributions on and off the field, New England does need to at least make up for the more than 1,000 defensive snaps McCourty logged as recently as last fall.
After the second Patriots' OTA session open to the media this week, it’s quite clear that Jalen Mills is a big part of the Patriots post-McCourty plan in the back end of the defense. Mills is familiar face to fans thanks to his role as New England’s de facto No. 1 cornerback out of necessity over the last two seasons, but it looks like he’ll have a different role in 2023.
As Mills reminded followers on Twitter this spring and media watching practice action, he is quite comfortable and familiar with the safety position that McCourty held down so well for so long for Bill Belichick.
“Been good,” Mills said of lining up at safety in non-padded, non-contact OTA action. “I’m getting some really good coaching tips from the coaches. Trying to go out there and execute at a high really level.”
Mills played safety at various points in the first five years of his career in Philadelphia, something he pointed out on Twitter in March. “Y’all know I really play safety right?”
He’s been enjoying reps at the spot this spring.
“For sure, man. It gives me the ability to not only show my versatility but be around the ball a little more and make more plays,” Mills said of moving over from the corner spot he’s held the last two years in Foxborough.
“Jalen's a smart kid. He's got a lot of playing experience in different spots. He's done a good job for us,” Belichick said of Mills’ versatility.
But Mills is also aware of the big shoes he’ll be trying to fill, those of a man he still leans on for guidance.
“Ten-plus years in the game. Seeing every kind of offense. Knowing how teams are going to attack us in certain calls,” Mills said of what McCourty’s retirement removes from the defense. “But you best believe we’re keeping in great contact with him, for sure me asking him a lot of questions.”
Mills may be a key figure in filling the McCourty void, but he won’t be alone. New England has other versatile options in the back end with Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Jonathan Jones and even rookie draft pick Marte Mapu. Dugger, in particular, will also face high expectations as the former second-round pick enters his fourth NFL season.
“Dug’s a baller. You guys know that. You’ve been seeing him grow every year,” Mills said. “I think just being back there with him, he’s also a versatile guy. He can play in the slot. He can play on the tight end. He can play in the middle of the field. He can play in the box. The versatility in this secondary definitely helps.”
Mills’ own versatility, in particular, could be the key first step in dealing with life after McCourty in the back end of the New England defense.
