By now, you all know that the New England Patriots lost both starting cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to free agency this offseason. What is especially interesting following their departures is that the Pats haven't really done much to replace them. They signed Bradley Fletcher earlier this offseason, but he was a part of the second worse pass defense in the NFL last year in Philly. Bill Belichick then invested only a single draft pick, a seventh-rounder, into the CB position last month.
This has led some to believe that New England plans to move safety Devin McCourty back to cornerback. McCourty made the Pro Bowl as a rookie corner in 2010 and continued to play the position exclusively the next year. Then he was moved to safety during the 2012 season and has since been named a second team All-Pro (2013) at the position.
Despite his impressive versatility, McCourty hopes to remain at safety in 2015.
"Hopefully that's not what happens," McCourty said to Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet when asked about a position change. "We got a lot of guys working hard at the cornerback position and hopefully they'll get it done. I feel like I found a home at safety and that's where I would definitely like to stay."
To be clear, Belichick has not hinted that a return to corner is in the works. This has merely been fan and media speculation. But it's worth remembering that certain defensive packages required McCourty to play at corner in 2014. That's just something to keep in mind as we head towards the season.
