The days of Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson forming arguably the best cornerback tandem in the NFL are long gone. Right now, the New England Patriots’ depth chart at the position is led by serviceable-but-non-shutdown-caliber Jalen Mills and a big question mark in the form of either Malcolm Butler or Terrance Mitchell opposite him.
The Patriots will probably be able to survive with that cast of characters atop the depth chart — in part due to a deep safety group that will help mix up looks — but history has shown that they are at their best when they have a shutdown cornerback guarding the outside.