Patriots Investing In Future At Cornerback With Draft Picks, Free Agents
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan were just two of several pleasant surprises on the Patriots defense in 2015, but they may not be around forever. New England selected a cornerback and signed three more as undrafted free agents at the 2016 NFL Draft, indicating that they could be preparing to lose at least one of the team's top-two corners.
Ryan and Butler are both set to become free agents after the 2017 season, unrestricted and restricted, respectively. The team would have a massive hole to fill on the roster should both players leave, but Butler has proven that hidden gems can be unearthed at cornerback during or even after the draft, where elite guys like Richard Sherman and Josh Norman went in the fifth round and Butler went undrafted.
The Patriots certainly hope that they have the next Butler on their 2016 list of undrafted free agents, as any team would. They signed three in all: V'Angelo Bentley from Illinois; Jonathan Jones from Auburn; and Ce'Von LeBlanc from Florida Atlantic.
Jonathan Jones' NFL.com draft profile praised the former All-SEC corner's athleticism and ability in press-man coverage but noted that his lack of size (5-foot-9, 186 pounds) would scare teams off, despite his SEC pedigree. It apparently did, because no one drafted the kid despite his projection as a fourth or fifth-round pick.
Bentley's draft profile paints a picture of uncertainty for him as a cornerback on defense, but clearly explains why the Patriots signed him. He has the versatility to return kicks and punts and is a capable tackler, giving him some value on special teams.
LeBlanc had similar criticisms as Jonathan Jones; namely, his lack of size. However, he was also praised before the draft as an aggressive, competitive press corner who could hold his own against physical receivers.
Clearly, the Patriots want to continue playing press-man coverage in the secondary. They also recognized the team's urgent need for a reliable nickel/slot cornerback behind Butler and Ryan, a roster spot that was essentially a revolving door in 2015. Cyrus Jones has the potential to fill that role immediately as a rookie.
SEE ALSO: Patriots Sign 9 Undrafted Free Agents, Including Four Defensive Backs
Ominously, the team's UDFA signings at cornerback all bear similarity to Butler, besides being undrafted: undersized, somewhat limited physically, but reliable in press coverage and tough and highly competitive. Could the team be gathering Butler insurance for the next two years, hoping they found another diamond in the rough with at least one of the new guys?
Ideally, Butler signs with the Patriots long-term, considering how hard it is to find legitimate No. 1 cornerbacks, and a new face ascends to the No. 2 role in the next two seasons should Ryan ultimately leave as a UFA. But if the Patriots don't see Butler and/or Ryan as part of their future in the secondary, they'd better hope that they found the next core group this past weekend.
Butler may ultimately be a Patriot for the long haul. But the team had to address both current and future needs at cornerback, and with this year's draft class, they appear to be looking at the big picture.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
