When you check out the latest ESPN rankings of the best safeties in the NFL, you won't see Devin McCourty's name, or that of any other Patriots safety, on the list. While that doesn't mean they're bad -- they're the best position group on this New England team for a reason -- their perception certainly feels more "very good" than "great" league-wide.
For instance, McCourty has only managed two Pro Bowls and three second-team All-Pro honors in his career (two of those All-Pros came as a safety, one at corner). He's also managed just three seasons with more than four interceptions.
But Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire and USA TODAY Sports gave McCourty his flowers in a bigger way than any might expect last week. While ranking his personal choices for the 13 best safeties in football, Farrar put the soon-to-be-36-year-old McCourty all the way at No. 3, ahead of bigger names like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Micah Hyde, and Derwin James.
A bit optimistic? Probably, especially with the lack of overall production on the ball.
But as Farrar points out, the dearth of interceptions and plays on the ball actually serve as a testament to McCourty's ability rather than a detriment.
"McCourty’s superpower is deep-range coverage, and 2021 may have been his best season," Farrar wrote. "He allowed 12 catches on 24 targets for 159 yards, 63 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 31.8."
Here's the rub: those 24 targets on McCourty came during 620 coverage snaps last year, meaning he was the primary target on just 3.9 percent of all his snaps.
Plays like this one against the New York Jets last year show why that is.
McCourty has a tricky assignment to switch from the deep-middle responsibilities he showed pre-snap to cover slot receiver Jamison Crowder with Myles Bryant blitzing from the slot. The Jets try to free Crowder up on a wheel route, but the quick-thinking McCourty sniffs it out and runs over the top of the "pick" attempt by New York receiver Corey Davis to take away the throw, forcing Zach Wilson to take a sack rather than risk an interception.
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On top of that, when teams did try McCourty, it didn't often work out for them, as evidenced by the low completion numbers and passer rating when he was the closest defender.
Though that might not be enough in most peoples' eyes to merit him being considered on of the best safeties in the NFL, it does show why the Patriots needed him to return this season more than ever before.
With a ton of uncertainty in the secondary, especially at cornerback, having a seasoned veteran who knows just about everything an opponent intends to do -- and still has the physical ability to play at a high level -- is a boost regardless of whether the Patriots play more man or zone coverage this year: "When you have Devin McCourty patrolling deep, you don’t need a lot else back there," Farrar adds.
The veteran defensive back signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million to stay with the Patriots rather than retire this off-season and should continue serving as a perfect mentor to up-and-coming safety Kyle Dugger, who's poised to make a Pro Bowl-type leap in 2022.
Of course, assuming he stays as reliable as he's been for the last 12 seasons, that $9 million price tag also comes with peace of mind for the Patriots, who know they have one of the best in the business manning the deep part of the field.
For more on McCourty, check out the "1st and Foxborough" podcast on Audacy.
