A number of teams are potentially interested in trading for a cornerback, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com, and some clubs view the Patriots and Saints as teams that might be willing to deal away a defensive back.
Breer’s report is sparse on details, as we don’t know what teams might potentially inquire on New England or New Orleans’ corners, or what they might might be willing to give up in return. But it’s still worth examining each club’s defensive back depth chart to see what players might be considered spare parts.
In New England, first-team All-Pro Stephon Gilmore, recently re-signed veteran Jason McCourty, and 2018 undrafted free agent J.C. Jackson almost certainly aren’t going anywhere. The same goes for 2018 second-round pick Duke Dawson, who missed his entire rookie campaign, and 2019 second-rounder Joejuan Williams.
One name does stand out on the Patriots’ stacked depth chart as potential trade bait, however, is fourth-year pro Jonathan Jones. An undrafted free agent in 2016, Jones has played between 40-50% of New England’s defensive snaps in each of the past two seasons. As a restricted free agent, he’s signed through 2019 on a non-guaranteed salary of $3.095MM. Given the Patriots’ depth at corner and Jones’ expiring contract, he’d make sense as a potential trade target.
The Saints also have several corners who almost assuredly won’t be going anywhere, including starters Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, and Patrick Robinson. But P.J. Williams and Ken Crawley are both entering contract years and have significant experience under their belts (67% playtime for Williams in 2018, 40% for Crawley). Even veteran Kayvon Webster, who signed a one-year deal with the Saints in June, could potentially be on the table if rival teams are desperate for corners.
