14 defensive back fits for the Patriots in the NFL Draft

Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Previewing this years cornerback and safety classes ahead of the draft.

With the 2025 NFL Draft a little over 24 hours away, the New England Patriots are in the process of putting the finishing touches on their board.

What that board will look like is, of course, a closely-guarded secret.

There will be some defensive backs on it, though, even though the team already invested in the cornerback and safety positions during the offseason.So, with that said, lets take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for New England this year.Patriots current defensive back situationThe Patriots were quite busy this offseason investing in their defensive backfield.

While that process did not result in veteran and longtime starter Jonathan Jones being retained in free agency, the team did open the checkbook on four occasions to bolster both the starter level and the depth at cornerback and safety.The biggest contracts handed out belongs to Carlton Davis, who was signed to a three-year, $54 million deal.

Davis projects to fill the starting spot on the outside opposite No.

1 cornerback and rising star Christian Gonzalez.

Also in the mix for prominent snaps at the position will be Marcus Jones as well as fellow offseason signing Alex Austin, who was kept as an exclusive rights free agent.The rest of the cornerback depth chart is filled out by Marcellas Dial Jr., Isaiah Bolden, Miles Battle and D.J.

James.

All of them project as backup options and camp bodies who might have to make their way onto the roster via special teams.At safety, meanwhile, the Patriots brought in Marcus Epps and re-signed Jaylinn Hawkins to a one-year deal.

The pair will compete for playing time alongside returning starters Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, even though the veterans future remains somewhat uncertain under a new coaching staff.Additionally part of the group are Marte Mapu, Dell Pettus and Mark Perry.

All-Pro special teamer Brenden Schooler is also listed as a safety, and did play a handful of snaps at the position in 2024.Patriots NFL Draft fits at defensive backTravis Hunter (Colorado): He is unlikely to be available at No.

4 overall, but there is no denying he would be a fit for the Patriots.

An electric athlete with unreal ball skills who is also this years No.

1 wide receiver prospect, Hunter is a star who, together with Christian Gonzalez, would give New England the best cornerback tandem in football for years to come.

| Consensus big board: No.

1Shavon Revel Jr.

(East Carolina): Revel Jr.

missed the final 10 games of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL.

If not, he might have been a lock to be drafted in the first round: he combines size and speed, and has the mentality to be a starting cornerback on the perimeter as soon as he is back at full strength again.

| Consensus big board: No.

35Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky): Hairston has some work to do as a tackler and needs to tone down on the aggressiveness a bit, but he offers experience as both a man and zone cornerback.

That and his Combine-leading 4.28-second 40-yard dash make him an intriguing option on Day 2.

| Consensus big board: No.

39Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame): Another cornerback with injury concerns he too missed 10 games to close out his college career because of an hip ailment Morrison has the talent of a first-round pick.

A quick athlete who is already technically refined, he has future starter written all over him.

| Consensus big board: No.

42Kevin Winston Jr.

(Penn State): A team captain at Penn State, Winston Jr.

brings good size and physicality to the safety position.

His lack of experience and fine-tuned instincts mean that he might not become a rookie starter, but he is a player worth grooming behind the likes of Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.

| Consensus big board: No.

67Andrew Mukuba (Texas): An experienced deep-field safety who started 43 games and played a combined 2,452 defensive snaps between his stints at Clemson and Texas, Mukuba combines good range with fast processing skills.

He is not the most naturally-gifted athlete, but his production in his final collegiate season would not suggest as much.

| Consensus big board: No.

75Jacob Parrish (Kansas State): Parrish would play a similar role as the departed Jonathan Jones in New England.

He has the speed and agility to man the slot, but also could kick outside or even move to safety on occasion if need be.

| Consensus big board: No.

85Jonas Sanker (Virginia): Sanker was a production machine in his last two seasons at Virginia, leading the team in tackles both years and also registering two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a field goal block.

His stats alone do not tell the full story, though; he also is a culture guy who despite some rawness to his game could be a future starter at box safety.

| Consensus big board: No.

125Caleb Ransaw (Tulane): Ransaw is fast, feisty and versatile, and would could become a package nickel or dime option in the Patriots secondary early on.

His ball production was lacking in college, but he has some workable skills.

| Consensus big board: No.

136Bilhal Kone (Western Michigan): Kone is a work in progress from an instinctual perspective, but he offers a combination of size and speed that should fit with the Patriots defensive vision.

He is a potential special teams contributor with defensive upside.

| Consensus big board: No.

197Jaylin Smith (USC): Smith is not the strongest player or most imposing physical presence, and he also missed at least one game in all three of his seasons at USC.

However, he is a fluid mover with experience playing both inside and outside as well as in man and zone schemes.

| Consensus big board: No.

219Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon): Muhammad can best be described as a scrappy player.

Despite measuring only 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, he broke up 45 passes in 60 career games and also registered 4 interceptions.

His natural knack for the football plus fluid moving skills will make him a priority on Day 3, either as a late-round pick or free agent.

| Consensus big board: No.

232Robert Longerbeam (Rutgers): A team captain at Rutgers, Longerbeam is neither the biggest nor the strongest defensive back.

What he is is a player who is fast to the ball and plays the game with good vision, two traits that should allow him to find a home on special teams early on.

| Consensus big board: No.

233Korie Black (Oklahoma State): Standing at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Black offers intriguing size and combines it with good speed and ball production on both defense and special teams.

He also is a willing tackler, worth a dart throw late on Day 3.

| Consensus big board: No.

289The Patriots have no obviously massive need at either cornerback or safety, especially relative to some of the other positions on their roster.

Accordingly, any investments would likely come in the latter rounds of the draft unless, of course, Travis Hunter somehow fell to them at No.

4 overall..

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