The Patriots’ safety room has experienced very few changes over the past few seasons. Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung have been the starters. Duron Harmon has played in sub-packages. Nate Ebner has played special teams and very few defensive snaps. Then there are guys that come in the rotation like Terrence Brooks.
This offseason, however, the position has seen some turnover. New England moved on from Harmon, sending him to Detroit, and Ebner through free agency. They signed Adrian Phillips and Cody Davis to play special teams and rotational snaps.
The future of the Patriots’ safeties is up in the air. While they have a few younger practice squad/IR guys set to return in Obi Melifonwu, Malik Gant, and Adarius Pickett, it’s still likely that Bill Belichick and company try to address the position in the draft.
Here is one safety the Patriots could select in every round of this year’s draft.
Round 1 – Xavier McKinney, Alabama
McKinney is considered one of the top safeties in the draft. He finished his three years at Alabama with 175 tackles, six sacks, and five interceptions. At 6-foot-0 and roughly 200 pounds, he’s essentially the same size as Harmon, and he may be used in a similar way. McKinney has the ability to play in the slot, in the box, and as a free safety making him a versatile piece that could get instant playing time in New England.
Round 2 – Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
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Winfield spent four years at Minnesota totaling 172 tackles, four sacks, and nine interceptions. The son of a former Pro-Bowler, he’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-9 but his strength can make up for a lot of his shortcomings. He would translate to an in the box safety with the ability to cover tight ends underneath. Winfield Jr. could eventually fill Chung’s role if he were to get injured or depart after the year.
Round 3 – Terrell Burgess, Utah
Burgess is a converted cornerback who spent four seasons at Utah. There he compiled 116 tackles and one interception. His versatility would make him an intriguing prospect to play in sub packages and on special teams. With only one full year starting at safety, there’s a lot of potential for Burgess to improve with consistent reps and coaching.
Round 4 – Brandon Jones, Texas
Jones is projected to fall in the late third or early fourth round and the Patriots may be able to snatch him up. His four-year career as a Longhorn was a productive one, as he recorded 232 tackles, one sack, and three interceptions. While Jones didn’t get to participate in the drills at the combine, he still met with some teams including the Patriots. Jones would likely fill in at deep safety or in the slot in a sub role.
Round 5 – Jordan Fuller, Ohio State
Fuller put up 216 tackles and five interceptions in his four years as a Buckeye. He struggled in coverage at times, but he may be able to keep up with tight ends. At 6-foot-2, he has the height to do so, but he would need to put on more muscle to have more of a presence. Fuller could succeed if the right coaches are put around him. In New England, he could have a year or two before he’d even have to see the field consistently, giving him plenty of time to learn and adjust.
Round 6 – Brian Cole II, Mississippi State
Cole began his college career at Michigan as a wide receiver but transferred after his freshman season to East Mississippi Community College home of Netflix’s “Last Chance U.” While he didn’t make many appearances on the show, he was one of the top JUCO safeties in the nation. He spent his final two seasons at Mississippi State where he recorded 78 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions.
The biggest questions he will receive are about his experience. With only two seasons at safety, he’s still pretty raw. However, he has good size and strength to be an in-the-box safety. The Patriots could use Cole II as a backup to Chung and then decide on his future down the road once he gets more coaching.
Round 7 – Shyheim Carter, Alabama
Carter is another cornerback-safety hybrid who could play in a few different spots. His athleticism allows him to play in the corner or high safety. At 5-foot-10, some believe Carter is too small to be an effective safety, but he was able to start at a top SEC program in Alabama. In his four years, Carter totaled 100 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. At the NFL level, he could help New England as a back-up developmental piece on defense while finding a role on special teams.
