In my positional breakdown of the New England Patriots, I ranked the team’s units from worst to first as we head into training camp. Safety was eighth on the list, just ahead of defensive tackle and cornerback, and the performance of this unit is critical if the Patriots are to adapt to the losses suffered at corner during the offseason.
Re-signing free safety Devin McCourty to a multi-year deal was the most critical move of New England’s offseason. After the Pats brought back the six-year veteran out of Rutgers, they subsequently lost cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.