Roster: Alex Austin, Miles Battle, Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Crossley, Carlton Davis, Marcellas Dial, Christian Gonzalez, D.J. James, Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor
Analysis:
This may be the most top-heavy unit on the team. Christian Gonzalez is coming off a Second-Team All-Pro season, and the addition of Carlton Davis gives the Pats a formidable pair of starting cornerbacks. Training camp will test how fluid that partnership becomes and how things line up in between them on the field.
Gonzalez is the prototype—long, fluid, and sticky in coverage. He spent plenty of time shutting down top receivers last season, picking up 11 passes defended and two interceptions. The third-year starter was named sixth this summer in ESPN's annual poll of league execs, coaches and scouts and was the only player other than Pat Surtain II to receive a first-place vote.
"I think Gonzo is the next great one," a veteran NFL assistant told ESPN. "Skills, patience, length. He's the closest thing to Pat [Surtain II]. Smooth, big athlete, travels a lot, can matchup against the best guy."
Davis, signed from Detroit, brings toughness and experience, having logged 42 solo tackles and two picks in 13 games last year. His aggressive style should complement Gonzalez's smooth coverage.
Marcus Jones saw plenty of snaps in the slot during the spring, returning after recording 10 passes defended and 48 solo tackles in 2024. Jones has the quickness and instincts to counter shifty slot receivers, while also contributing game-changing ability on special teams as a returner.
For the younger players, competition should be fierce. Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial, and Isaiah Bolden are all fighting for snaps and special teams value.
Austin showed promise in nine games last season, bouncing back from injury to deliver five passes defended. He's flashed late-season consistency in back-to-back years and could be ready for a bigger role. Dial, a 2024 seventh-round pick, played all 17 games and contributed on special teams. He'll be up against tough competition to retain that role this summer.
Bolden offers intriguing size and speed, and his versatility could earn him snaps in a "big nickel" package. He played 14 games last year and will be looking to build on that experience. Miles Battle signed late in the season, made a splash in his lone appearance with three passes defended. He's a name to watch if he can replicate that impact in camp.
The rookie class adds even more intrigue. Brandon Crossley, an undrafted free agent, played 66 college games and picked off six passes. His ball skills and experience could help him carve out a niche. Kobee Minor, the final pick of the 2025 draft, brings positional flexibility and a chip on his shoulder. With 12 passes defended and 80 tackles in college, he could surprise.
D.J. James, a practice squad holdover, was a standout at Auburn and Oregon and will be fighting to make the leap to the active roster. His coverage skills and experience give him a shot if he can flash in joint practices.
While Gonzalez, Davis, and Jones sit atop the depth chart, the rest of the room is wide open. With multiple roster spots up for grabs and special teams value a key factor, every day of training camp will be critical for the younger corners.
They'll get plenty of attention in 1-on-1s, press coverage drills, and live reps as Vrabel and his staff sort through a deep and hungry group that will get the opportunity to face the dangerous receiving corps from both the Commanders and Vikings in joint practices.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
