Inside the Patriots Draft Room: Finding the Final Pieces to Reclaim the Lombardi Trophy

Free Safeties

Just as it’s hard to imagine a New England Patriots offense without Tom Brady, it’s equally as difficult to think of a future without Devin McCourty roaming the secondary on defense. For the past eight seasons, McCourty has been the epitome of the phrase “do your job.” Whatever his job may be, McCourty has been willing to sacrifice stats and glory in order to help his team win.

McCourty is signed through the 2019 season, but the Patriots have a potential out in his contract that would save the team about $6 million by releasing him after the 2018 season. There’s no indication that’s going to happen, but Bill Belichick has never been afraid to release a player a year too early rather than hold onto the player a year too late. If New England does want to add some competition at free safety, these are the prospects who will be targeted.

Highly-valued skills:

40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone, short shuttle (65 graded)

1. Godwin Igwebuike (Northwestern) 75%

2. Joshua Kalu (Nebraska) 50%

2. Tarvarius Moore (Southern Mississippi) 50%

4. Justin Reid (Stanford) 37.5%

4. Jamar Summers (Connecticut) 37.5%

4. Jordan Martin (Syracuse) 37.5%

4. Robert Taylor (Washington State) 37.5%

8. Ryan Neal (Southern Illinois) 25%

9. Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) 12.5%

Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score:

1. Bryce Canady (Florida International) 18.7%

1. Tre Flowers (Oklahoma State) 18.7% *also scored above average as a SS

1. Tyree Robinson (Oregon) 18.7%

4. Quin Blanding (Virginia) 12.5%