Patriots camp battles: Is cornerback the most competitive position?
Heading into Patriots training camp, cornerback looks to be one of the most competitive positions on the roster. Who is battling for what?
There will be two cornerback competitions going on simultaneously in Patriots training camp this year. One at the top of the depth chart, and one for roster spots. We’ll start with the second.
Heading into camp, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones all roster locks. Coming off of his impressive performance in spring practices, Alex Austin seems to be a near-lock as well.
Those four project as the top of the depth chart (we’ll sort them out within their group in a minute). But there’s a crowded group behind them looking to fill out the one or two depth cornerback spots left on the roster.
That group includes some familiar names. Isaiah Bolden was making a roster push last year before suffering a concussion late in the preseason that landed him on IR. Shaun Wade and Marco Wilson are also back to compete for roster spots after spending time with the team last year (as is 2023 practice squad member Azizi Hearn, who stood out in minicamp).
![Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden (29) stretches before the start of minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Patriots training camp](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/07/USATSI_23517152-1_1720710147_.jpg?resize=1024,774)
Some rookies will compete during Patriots training camp here too. Sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial fits the prototype of a Patriots boundary cornerback. UDFA Mikey Victor is another player to watch – he has a unique size/speed makeup, closed the spring strong, and was getting some special teams reps.
These last one or two cornerback spots could very well come down to versatility. Most of the cornerbacks named above are primarily boundary corners, and the Patriots are thinner in terms of players with slot experience. Wade has experience in the slot, which could help his case. Bolden mostly played on the boundary in college and in camp last year, but got a lot of looks in the slot in the spring.
Deep safety versatility could help too. None of the Patriots corners have significant safety experience, but Bolden and Dial have the physical tools to give it a shot.
Experience is the other factor here. Outside of Jonathan Jones this is a very young cornerback room. That could help Wilson, who isn’t exactly a seasoned veteran but is one of the longest-tenured players of the group having been drafted in 2021.
Now it’s time to go back to the top of the cornerback depth chart. Gonzalez should be manning the top boundary cornerback spot. After that? We’ll have to see how things play out.
Jonathan Jones is the real pivot player here. Will stay on the boundary, where he’s played the past two seasons? Or will he move back into the slot where he excelled to start his career?
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The picture is a little cleaner if Jones moves back to the slot. He’d be there, with Alex Austin the favorite for the second boundary spot, competing with the players listed above and potentially any veteran free agent signings (Stephon Gilmore, anyone?).
If Jones kicks back outside, Austin becomes the third rotational boundary corner with the slot then becoming the major question. Does the team plan for Marcus Jones to play there full-time at his size? And if so, who will his backup be? This scenario could open the door for players like Isaiah Bolden or Shaun Wade to have a bigger role.
Ultimately, the Patriots’ week-to-week cornerback usage will be dictated in large part by their opponent. Still, as a game plan defense it’s important they’re prepared for matchups across the board, and figuring out which secondary combinations work best will be a big part of that.
Keep scrolling for more Patriots training camp battles…