Patriots Free Agency: Prioritizing Safety After Devin McCourty Retirement?
FOXBORO — With longtime team captain Devin McCourty having announced his retirement, the New England Patriots must decide their next course of action for re-stocking the safety position.
Filling McCourty’s shoes will not be an easy task. The 13-year veteran appeared in a combined 229 regular season and playoff games as a member of the Patriots. He became a three-time Super Bowl champion, as well as being voted to two Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and the Patriots’ Team of the 2010s. Perhaps most importantly, he emerged into one of the Pats most prolific on-field defenders, as well as one of its most respected leaders in the locker room.
Still, as the NFL’s legal tampering period begins on Monday, the Pats have options to consider, as the safety position is now among the team’s most-pressing needs heading into 2023.
Internal Options:
Even with McCourty’s retirement, the Pats still employ one of the NFL’s deepest positional groups. Starting box saftey Kyle Dugger has evolved into a true force in New England’s secondary, having led the team with two defensive touchdowns in 2022. While he possesses the athleticism to play free, the Patriots are unlikely to move him from his natural position.
The same can be said for safety Adrian Phillips. While Phillips is also more comfortable in the box, he is also New England’s best option to align as a hybrid linebacker, or even along the defensive line. Free agent Jabrill Peppers is not guaranteed to return. However, the team may be smart to retain his services, as a veteran enforcer.
However, another internal free agent may be primed for a positional switch, should be return to Foxboro.
Cornerback Jonathan Jones began his pro career in the slot before moving to a starting position as a perimeter cornerback last season. Like Peppers, his return is far from guaranteed. However, a recent report from ESPN indicated that the two sides were hopeful to work out a deal in the range of $6-9 million annually. If Jones agrees to re-up with the Pats, his speed and experience — along with his previous experience at safety during his time at Auburn — makes him an intriguing option.
External Options:
Should New England seek assistance outside the organization, there is a light handful of options expected to be available on the open market.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III certainly has the pedigree as a former second-round draft pick by the Bengals in 2018. Bates is rightfully the top safety available in this year’s free agency. The 26-year-old possesses a high football IQ, with the versatility to align in multiple places on the field. He is a playmaker as evidenced by his career-high four interceptions in 2022. Bates will not be a bargain option, but his durability makes him worth the investment.
Former Patriot Duron Harmon may be a name to watch throughout the week. Like Mccourty, he is a Rutgers product with significant knowledge of the system. While the 32-year-old cannot be considered a long-term solution, his ability to assimilate into McCourty’s role would make the transition a bit easier for 2023.
Albeit a long-shot, New England would leap at the chance to poach a franchise-stalwart from a divisional rival. Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer is both a play maker and a veteran leader. Poyer led the Bills in interceptions with four while ranking fifth in total tackles with 63. Losing him would be a big loss to the Bills' secondary. Simultaneously, it would be a potentially huge gain for the Patriots, as adding the 32-year-old would provide the team with a bit of pop and athleticism in their defensive backfield.
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