New England Patriots Cornerback Jonathan Jones Has Found A Home On The Outside Looking In

Jonathan Jones finds himself in the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. He also finds himself in a different spot than where he primarily lined up dating back to 2016.

But on the outside looking in, the longtime slot cornerback has looked at home.

“I mean, you’re definitely on your own,” Jones told reporters during a video conference on Monday. “It’s a different perspective from being inside. There’s not as many bodies between you and the quarterback. You’re kind of just out there and you’re on your own, but the same mentality.”

The spring departure of reigning All-Pro J.C. Jackson to the Los Angeles Chargers left an opening across from Jalen Mills. Fellow veteran cornerbacks Terrance Mitchell and Malcolm Butler arrived and departed from the boundary by the fall. And through three starts in the regular season, New England’s best answer there has been a 5-foot-10, 190-pound Auburn product with a 40-yard-dash time of 4.33 seconds.

“Jones has got a lot of things going for him,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said during his press conference last Friday. “Good skillset. He’s very fast. He’s tough. He’s strong for his size. He’s a smart player. I think when you play one position and you move to another one, it gives you an advantage a little bit because you’ve played that spot and you know what’s going on in there.

“Whether that’s a corner moving to safety, moving them inside to outside, or outside to inside, or outside linebacker moving to inside or vice versa. If the player can do that, if he has that type of versatility, then I think a lot of times he just has a better understanding and communication.”

The 2021 campaign had ended on injured reserve in October due to shoulder surgery for Jones. By then, the two-time Super Bowl champion had played 64% of his defensive snaps in the slot while also working on the outside, in the box and at free safety.

Jones has since had a hand ten tackles to go with forced fumbles against Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins and Rashod Bateman of the Baltimore Ravens. And in last Sunday’s 37-26 loss at Gillette Stadium, he jumped the latter wide receiver’s crossing route to intercept 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. It gave way to a 15-yard return.

The former undrafted signing, whose rookie deal featured a $10,000 signing bonus, currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ top cornerback around the league. His defensive grade of 85.6 checks in ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Jamel Dean, Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, Carolina Panthers’ Jaycee Horn and Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson. His coverage grade of 90.4 also sits atop the position.

The nine passes sent into Jones’ jurisdiction have resulted in six completions for 91 yards, no touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 60.2.

“Smart, tough, fast, very competitive,” Belichick said. “Again, has a good deal of experience, has played safety as well. I mean, this guy’s played every position in the secondary. And I think in the long run, if he can do it, then I think it’s a good thing.”

The New England depth chart is rounded out by Myles Bryant, who has served as the top nickelback, along with Shaun Wade and rookie draft choices Marcus Jones and Jack Jones. But a 29-year-old with a cap number just north of $7.7 million has looked the part of a No. 1. He’s played like it, too, through 148 defensive downs.

“You lock in, eyes on your guy, and when it’s man or if it’s zone, you’re a different part of it,” added Jones. “But just get out there and compete.”