The Felger & Mazz Big Board hit on its final defensive position of the year on Friday – safeties. Despite the best efforts of one Matt McCarthy they did manage to pick three player, with all three standing out as clear Patriots draft picks.
Safety is a tough position to judge for the Patriots heading into this year’s draft. Devin McCourty retired leaving them with a hole at free safety, yet they seem ready to handle his replacement with in-house options, including cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones.
J.L. Skinner, Boise State
Nov 19, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Boise State Broncos safety JL Skinner (0) makes an interception and celebrates against the Wyoming Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Coming into this draft Skinner was a projected top 100 pick. At 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, with good quickness and an ability to make quick reads, he has all the tools needed by a modern box safety.
However, Skinner suffered a torn pectoral while preparing for the Combine. That means he hasn’t been able to work out for teams during the pre-draft process, and may not be ready to start the 2023 NFL season. That has pushed his stock down the board. Still, the Patriots have a history of drafting injured players as value picks and giving them ‘redshirt’ years, and Skinner would fit the bill early on Day 3.
Jartavius Martin, Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 15: Jartavius Martin #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini intercepts a pass intended for Michael Brown-Stephens #22 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Martin is listed as a safety by Lindy’s but was a jack-of-all-trades is a very talented Illinois secondary. Throughout his five-year career he played 1,012 snaps as a slot cornerback, 851 as a slot cornerback, 300 as a free safety, and 249 as a box safety. That kind of versatility makes him an obvious fit in New England.
That’s not the only thing that makes Martin a logical Patriots fit though. His head coach in college – Bret Bielema – is a former Patriots assistant coach and friend of Bill Belichick.
Christian Young, Arizona
Oct 29, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats safety Christian Young (5) breaks up a pass intended for USC Trojans wide receiver CJ Williams (8) during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, Young has ideal size for a box safety. While he didn’t test at the Combine, his tape shows a player with high level athleticism. He’s still raw in a number of other elements of his game, but could be worth a flier on Day 3 or as a UDFA. In the right situation, he has the natural tools to be a rotation player in an NFL secondary, and should be a contributor on special teams right away.
Young, like Martin, also has a Patriots connection. Arizona’s head coach is Jedd Fisch, who was the Patriots’ quarterbacks coach in 2020.
