The Patriots appear to be putting their cornerback depth to good use. One of the Pats’ corners, Joejuan Williams, is now attending meetings exclusively as a safety, Michael Giardi of NFL.com tweets. New England’s 2019 second-round pick, Williams only played 80 defensive snaps as a rookie. But the Vanderbilt product was stuck behind the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones. Those three are back in 2020, but the Pats’ safety group looks considerably different.
The team’s longtime Devin McCourty–Patrick Chung–Duron Harmon trio is down to just McCourty, though the Pats did sign former Charger Adrian Phillips and drafted Kyle Dugger in Round 2. Dugger, however, played at a Division II school and has not had much time this offseason for on-field work. At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Williams has the size to transition to safety. The Pats frequently used three safeties in coverage over the past several years.
Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Le’Veon Bell has not enjoyed a quality training camp, with Brian Costello of the New York Post rating the Jets‘ starting running back as the team’s third-most impressive back in camp — behind Frank Gore and rookie fourth-rounder La’Mical Perine. Bell enjoyed his worst season in 2019, but the Jets featured a bottom-tier offensive line. They have since made several upgrade attempts. The Jets have Bell under contract for three more seasons, but just one of them features guaranteed money. Bell, 28, is set to count $15.5MM against the Jets’ cap this season.
- More than a week after bringing Donte Moncrief in for a workout, the Jets again summoned the wideout to their facility. Moncrief visited the Jets on Friday. This comes after the former third-round pick and veteran auxiliary wide receiver met with the 49ers. San Francisco went in a different direction, however. The 6-4 target amassed 668 receiving yards with the 2018 Jaguars but did not make an impact with the Steelers or Panthers last season.
- The Jets’ wideout interest stems partially from being without Denzel Mims. The second-round rookie has missed all of the team’s work in pads, with The Athletic’s Connor Hughes noting Mims is not yet doing individual drills (subscription required). Mims suffered the injury during the team’s ramp-up period earlier this month. With 2020 already presenting unfavorable circumstances for rookies, Mims may well face an uphill battle to be an early-season contributor.
- Dolphins first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene is competing with Jakeem Grant and recent addition Chester Rogers for return jobs, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. A cornerback out of Auburn, Igbinoghene notched two kick-return touchdowns in college. He did not return any punts at Auburn, however, so this would seemingly leave the punt-return competition to the two veterans. The elusive Grant has four NFL return TDs, including two on punt returns.
- Fellow Dolphins rookie Solomon Kindley still has a chance to be one of the team’s starting guards, with Jackson noting that the fourth-round rookie may be a bit ahead of second-round O-lineman Robert Hunt. The Dolphins still view Hunt as a player who could contribute at both guard and tackle, while Kindley — the No. 111 overall pick out of Georgia — is showing well at right guard. The Dolphins signed Ereck Flowers to play left guard this offseason, and guard-tackle hybrid Jesse Davis may be set to again open as the team’s right tackle.
Dolphins got a good one in Kindley, he should lock down their RG position for years to come. It was an excellent pick for them, and should come with an abundance of excess value moving forward…
I’m not as sold on Iggy nor Hunt, but they will have plenty of time, and do come with high upsides if they can ultimately reach their potential..
What’s nice about Noah is that he won’t be expected to contribute as much as most first rounders. He’ll likely start out in the nickel and learn from Miami’s terrific duo of Jones and Howard. He has speed and athleticism, but is still raw and in dire need of development. However, the upside is definitely there
Hunt doesn’t seem like he’ll start immediately, but could be a valuable depth piece with his versatility. Agree on Kindley. I thought he was one of the best interior blockers available
LeVeon Bell for Alshon Jeffery??
Bell running off a very solid O line of Johnson Kelce Brooks and Peters. The eagles would be adding another level to that attack. Wentz proved last year he can throw excellent but adding a running game would be solid.
As for the Jets, Bell looks like the third best RB but they have a thin WR group with a rookie and some injured fringe players. Jeffery isn’t a long term player but would be a solid bet WR for Darnold and cheaper than Bell
My only question is how does this benefit the Eagles? Doesn’t look like Bell would be a quality running back. Might as well keep their quality wide receiver in Ashlon Jeffrey. (I appreciate the thought nonetheless)
Yeah, I think Bell would just steal snaps from Sanders and Scott. Each of those players can already catch the ball out of the backfield and elude defenders, so I’m not sure what Bell brings to the table. Besides, the offensive line is effective enough in the run-blocking department that someone like Bell will hardly make a difference. That’s also assuming Bell is anywhere near his elite self, which doesn’t sound likely.
If healthy (big if, I know), Alshon gives the Eagles a nice contrast from their corps of speedy wideouts with a physical game and some reliable hands. You might as well try to extract as much value from him as you can at this point
I think it helps the Eagles cause right now they are abit of a non factor at RB. Miles Sanders is nice for a young bloke but Bell if he could find form would add a new element to the team.
Bells style is to wait a second read the pocket and let his blockers clear a visible path then run for a good gain. I think going from the Steelers line to Jets was always going to be hard but if he was to then go to the Eagles line he would I believe be a lot more comfortable and put up much better numbers again.
I also think having two very different but solid RBs in Bell and Sanders would be awesome. Sanders is unpredictable in the fact he’s quick and can often receive the ball aswell as run it, whereas Bell can also catch but is known more for this running. Having these two inside with Ertz and then the fast WR group you have to have protection deep, in close and at the line and with Doug Peterson’s play calling I think he would get great results from having Bell and Sanders work together with Wentz
You’d basically be trading one lazy unmotivated player for another lazy unmotivated player. I doubt even Dairy Queen has any interest in Bell at this point.
Really hoping the Patriots figure this out. This can’t believe much of the Patriots defense bailed out.
Congrats to Bell for playing there system correctly. It’s not his fault the Jets signed him to a monster contract.