Christian Gonzalez should be able to start the 2024 season at full health, something which would be a welcomed development in the Patriots’ secondary. The team’s top pick in last year’s draft is set to handle a starting role, and the same should be the case for veteran Jonathan Jones.

Plenty of uncertainty is currently present elsewhere on New England’s cornerback depth chart, though, leaving plenty of playing time up for grabs. One name to watch during training camp could be Alex Austin based on his Patriots stint last year and his usage in the spring. The 2023 Bills seventh-rounder did not survive roster cuts, and he was claimed off waivers by the Texans in August.

Austin made three appearances with Houston before ultimately being let go in November. The 23-year-old immediately caught on with the Patriots, and he saw time in five games to close out the campaign. With the team struggling on the injury front in the secondary, Austin logged a defensive snap share of at least 57% for four straight contests. The Oregon State alum registered two pass breakups and allowed five completions on 16 targets in coverage. He re-signed in March, allowing him to compete for notable playing time this offseason.

As noted by team writer Paul Perillo, Austin logged a number of first-team reps during the spring while playing opposite Gonzalez on the perimeter. The latter played almost exclusively on the boundary during his rookie season, and that has also been true of Jones over the past two seasons. Jones – a veteran of 115 games with the Patriots – also has experience in the slot, however, and a strong summer showing from Austin could push him to the inside.

Perillo adds that Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade are also in contention for increased workloads, particularly in the slot. How they fare during training camp will play a role in determining the team’s overall secondary plans. If Austin can continue to impress, though, he could find himself handling first-team duties or at least seeing rotational defensive snaps during his first full New England campaign.