FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots’ recent record of settling in defensive backs at the time of driving is not excellent.
The Patriots expect Joejuan Williams, selected in the second round of 2019, and Kyle Dugger, selected in the second round of 2020, to break the streak. Security Jordan Richards, cornerer Cyrus Jones and slot player Duke Dawson have never risen to second-day bills. Richards at least lasted the life of his rookie contract, while Jones broke free after two seasons and Dawson changed after only one year.
However, Williams is recently buried on the Patriots’ corner intensity chart. The Patriots have the innermost space on the NFL corner with defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, promising star JC Jackson, veteran leader Jason McCourty and trusty nickel broker Jonathan Jones, all above him in line order. Add Justin Bethel’s expert to the special teams, and Williams may have difficulty getting on the active list on game day.
However, Williams was able to locate his niche thanks to his versatility. While Dugger and Adrian Phillips security were absent to Friday’s education camp, Williams was betting on the Patriots’ best school.
“If you’re a New England Patriots DB, you want to know a few things,” corner coach Mike Pellegrino said Friday on a conference call. “By being able to play positions, he simply does what he asked him to do. He responded well, just as everyone could react well in this situation. That’s the expectation in the room. The wait in the room is so you can play.” around the corner, security. Wherever I am, we’re all DB somehow.”
The Patriots’ strong initial role in protection comes into play after Patrick Chung opted not to participate in the 2020 NFL season. Phillips, Dugger and Terrence Brooks are the most productive candidates for the position, but Williams’ duration is intriguing. At 6 feet and four inches and 212 pounds, Williams is one of the largest defensive runners, corner or security, to join the NFL since 2000. One of his greatest strengths may be his ability to dominate closed wings. It was tested on paper five days after Patriots educational camp practices.
“Joejuan is working hard to improve,” protection coach Brian Belichick said Friday. “I think he’s going out to help us in the most productive way he can. There’s no single way to fill the box with a player in a position or something. Kids have to be in other roles, not necessarily just in Joejuan in particular,” however, all DBs. We’d like to see ourselves as a group, the DBs. So look to be informed of the best school and help as much as we can. »
It is very likely that several defensive backs will have to be counted to cover all of Chung’s past defensive places. Williams still has 3 weeks for him to take at least one of them to win a role.