Early Safety Prospects For The New England Patriots.

Regardless if Devon Mccourty stays or goes, the Patriots need a replacement for him. The team never replaced Harmon. I was going to make a list of just free safeties but who knows how the Patriots see what's on their roster they currently have. And with that thought here is an early list of possible safety prospects.

Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame 6'4" 220 LBS 

TDN "What do you want him to do? He’ll do it. Seriously. I knew coming into my film study that he had the athletic profile to play all over the field but was blown away at just how diverse of a defender he was. Deep post safety, robber, sack WILL linebacker, nickelback, walked up on the line of scrimmage, the punt team—you name it."

Jaquan Brisker, Penn State 6'2" 200 LBS

TDN "You’d be hard-pressed to find a role Brisker can’t succeed in. I do think, however, asking him to play as a single-high Cover 1 defender and charging him with playing numbers to numbers isn’t the best usage of his skill set. I do think he’s an athlete that could take on such a role as a part of his bigger usage, however."

Daxton Hill Michigan 6' 195 LBS

TDN "Hill is an extremely versatile player at the back end of this defense. He can play single-high free safety, nickel, outside corner, and even has aligned as a dime backer. His blend of athleticism and toughness are exactly what NFL defensive coordinators are looking for out of a defensive back as it allows them to be creative on where he is utilized.

Lewis Cine Georgia 6'1" 200 LBS 

TDN " He doesn’t have much positional versatility. He has aligned at safety and that’s where he should remain. Although he has played in the slot, as well."

Bryan Cook Cincinnati 6'1" 203 LBS

TDN "Cook showcased plenty of versatility in 2021, lining up as a deep safety, in the box, and in the slot. He is a terrific downhill player that flashes the ability to stay leveraged in coverage. Cook should provide outstanding special teams contributions."

Verone McKinley III Oregon 5'11" 195 LBS

TDN "McKinley’s skill set is best displayed when it comes to the passing game. He aligns as a single-high safety, split safety in two-high coverages as well as manning the slot position at times."

Nick Cross Maryland 6'1" 210 LBS

Ahmed Ghafir "Cross has already proven he has elite straight line speed and has the patience along the backline to be the ball hawking safety many envisioned him to be out of high school as the former top-50 talent approaches draft eligibility."

Brad Hawkins Michigan 6'1" 221 LBS

Trevor Woods "Hawkins was a reliable contributor on Michigan’s defense, his veteran leadership was an asset in 2021. He’s a very likable person, and he did have some clutch plays throughout the season. However, Hawkins isn’t someone who makes lots of ‘wow’ plays."

Bubba Bolden Miami (FL) 6'3" 200 LBS

TDN "Bolden shows an ability to play either free or strong safety. He has good range as the single-high defender and also has shown well enough to hold firm in the box with good size and length. Bolden offers good versatility to be a reliable No. 3 safety and fill in either spot."

Jalen Pitre Baylor 6' 197 LBS

Sports Illustrated "Jalen Pitre is an extremely violent, versatile and productive defender for the Baylor defense. Pitre is labelled as a safety and most often plays the slot/overhang role commonly seen in college. "

Kerby Joseph Illinois 6' 200 LBS

DARIK News "Pre-snap, he shows off football IQ and communication abilities to get his teammates lined up right in front of him. He has good footwork and can change directions very quickly. Shows consistently good balance and leverage when attacking downhill. When falling and sitting in coverage, he reads the quarterback’s eyes well enough to identify where he wants to go with the football."

Cam Taylor-Britt Nebraska 6'2" 205 LBS

TDN "The Huskers implemented him in a number of coverages but he was most frequently used in zone coverages to allow his feel for attacking the football and triggering in the run game to shine most."

Leon O'Neal Texas A&M 6'1" 210 LBS

Bleacher Report "Leon O'Neal Jr. is a talented safety with 48 games of experience under his belt. A safety who's on the bigger side, he has good movement skills and the ability to play at all three levels."

Markquese Bell Florida A&M 6'2" 205 LBs

TDN "Bell has shown to be a well-rounded player on the back end. Using him as a downhill enforcer in run support as well as a single-high safety, he’s been able to show off his versatility."

Dane Belton Iowa 6'1" 205 LBS

PFN "Dane Belton is an explosive safety prospect who covers a tremendous amount of area on the field. He shows skill defending the run and covering the pass. Belton’s ability to quickly close to the play and force the action is impressive."

Tre Sterling Oklahoma State 5'11" 205 LBS

Sports  Illustrated "A strong frame that is well put together and compact. Smart player that does a good job with his eye discipline reading routes and diagnosing run or pass. At his best when he is used as an underneath defender where he can play curl/flat, hook/curl, or play a robber where he can read the quarterback.

Yusuf Corker Kentucky 6' 200 LBS

TDN "Corker has better value in the run game as compared to the passing game as evidenced by his production. I think he profiles as an NFL special teams staple and that ability to contribute there is going to prove to be critical for his projection." 

Delarrin Turner-Yell Oklahoma, 5'9" 195 LBS

Sports Illustrated "Turner-Yell’s processing skills are noticeable on tape, as he is always in the right place at the right time, especially in the run game. His shoulders and hips line up on a slender frame. Despite his skinny frame, he shows he has the strength and physicality needed to play the safety position."

Percy Butler Louisiana 6' 196 LBS

PFN "A tremendous football player with a great head for the game. Butler is instinctive, tough, and makes plays against the run and pass. I could definitely see him developing into a third safety on Sundays."

Josh Thompson Texas 6' 191 LBS

USA Today "The versatile defensive back played both corner and nickel in his college career as well as playing a major role on special teams."

Jaylan Foster South Carolina 5'10" 195 LBS

NFL Draft Buzz "Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to snatch throws away from his frame.Very aggressive attacking receiver blocks and tackles like a safety."

Kolby Harvell-Peel Oklahoma State 6' 210 LBS

TDN "The Cowboys safety is at his best when he can keep everything in front of him opposed to when he’s asked to turn and run in man-to-man situations. At his best when utilized as a strong safety or rover over the short middle and intermediate areas of the field."

Sterling Weatherford, Miami (OH) 6'4" 220 LBS

Sports Illustrated "Weatherford often plays single high safety in the Miami (Ohio) defense and has the ability to pursue runs to the sideline with ease and cover in zone when rotated to a two-high coverage."

Daniel Wright Alabama 6' 197 LBS

Sports Illustrated "Best in two high or robbing the middle of the field where he can read the quarterback and get to the ball. Undercuts routes at the sideline and has good hands to pick passes."

JT Woods Baylor 6'2" 190 LBS

PFN "Early on, Woods is best as a deep safety in two-high and single-high looks, but his ability to play at different depths and adapt is extremely valuable. You rarely find defensive backs with ball-hawking and enforcing traits all in one, but that’s what Woods provides."

Jermaine Waller Virginia Tech 6'1" 180 LBS

TDN "Waller has appeal in man, zone, and press coverage but has room for improvement in each technique. He’s a willing run defender that can hold his own but won’t necessarily make the run defense better. He has some experience working from the slot and has some experience on both the kick coverage and punt return units. "

Long shots and Dark Horses:

Tycen Anderson Toledo 6'2" 210 LBS

Sports  Illustrated "Anderson is a special player with an intriguing body type who can play as a physical slot cornerback or box safety. The development of his awareness and understanding of concepts could truly evolve his game to the next level."

JoJo Domann, Nebraska 6'1" 230 LBS

TDN  "Whether he’s aligned as a nickel corner over a wideout, standing up within the middle of a defense, or working with his head turned to the endzone in ROBOT (roll over and back) technique to quickly shut down pending crossers, Domann’s impact throughout his tenure as a Cornhusker became impossible to ignore."

Damarri Mathis Pittsburgh 5'11" 195 LBS

John Vogel "Has both man and zone coverage ability. He can play effective press coverage and shows the ability to be a factor as a run defender. All of that being said, we think his best fit is in a zone scheme but will be valued by man-scheme clubs as well."

Jaylen Watson Washington State 6'3" 204 LBS

PFN "Furthermore, the Washington State DB has experience crushing punt returners as a gunner. That versatility will go a long way in the NFL. Plus, his days as a high school safety paid off, as Watson’s play in run support is one of his strong suits. He can shed blocks from receivers and come up and tackle with the best of them."

Reed Blankenship Middle Tennessee 6' 195 LBS

Sports Illustrated "At his best when used as a robber or hole player where he can drop and just read the quarterback indicator to take him to the football. Strong tackler when playing in closed spaces, efficient bringing ball carriers to the ground."

Nolan Turner Clemson 6'1" 205 LBS

John Vogel "An earlier day three pick would make sense for him as a team might try to slide him into their rotation as a nickel defender before letting him develop into the back end. If he can play through his lack of length, he can be a very solid professional."

Amari Burney Florida 6'2" 224 LBS

TDN "Burney plays urgently and does well with diagnosing plays then attacking downhill soon thereafter. Has experience at both linebacker and safety and his former days on the other side of the ball show up often."

Elijah Hicks FS California 5'11" 200 LBS

Sports Illustrated "First off, he has played all over the place. With extensive time as a boundary corner before moving to safety, Hicks has a lot of qualities that'll transfer."

Dishon McNary C. Michigan 6'1" 190 LBS

NFL Draft Buzz "While built more like a cornerback than a safety, he has the vision, range, hitting ability, and ball skills teams want at free safety in the pass-heavy NFL."

Jaylan Foster South Carolina 5'10" 195 LBS

NFL Draft Buzz "Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to snatch throws away from his frame.Very aggressive attacking receiver blocks and tackles like a safety."

Joey Blount Virginia 6'1" 190 LBS

TDN "A versatile player, Blount aligns all around the Cavaliers’ defense, lining up as the team’s deep safety in single-high and split-safety looks. He also plays from the slot and in the box regularly."

Mike Palmer Boston College 6'1" 200 LBs

NFL Draft Buzz "Extremely aggressive to come up and put his body in traffic to make tackles. Flashes intimidating attitude and will crush tiptoeing receivers across the middle. Can deliver the big hit and isn't afraid to jump inside to slow the ball."

Again who knows how the Patriots are going to draft. I have a feeling Mills will take over Mccourty's role if the Patriots don't take re-sign him. Many of the guys listed above are versatile and could play multiple safety or defensive back roles. If I had to guess at who's most likely to end up on the roster, I would say Woods or Blankenship have solid day 3 potential.