Patriots insider Phil Perry is back with his latest mock draft where the Patriots select Travis Hunter with fourth overall pick.
Devin McCourty knows a good NFL defense when he sees one.
The former New England Patriots defensive back was a part of three Super Bowl-winning defenses and appeared in the game five times during his 13-year tenure. He was a defensive captain for 12 seasons in Foxboro.
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McCourty believes with the free-agent additions they've made so far this offseason, the 2025 Patriots defense could wreak havoc. While acknowledging the moves New England still needs to make to improve the offense, McCourty explained why he's high on the defense's potential.
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"The holes are still the holes. They have to fill it in a little bit," McCourty said. "But did they get better overall as a team? No doubt about it. Especially if you get Christian Barmore healthy, I think with Milton Williams and having those two guys in the middle with (Harold) Landry and Keion White -- I think this defense will be more along the lines of our 2018 defense when you talk about aggressive, downhill, forcing teams to make mistakes. I think it'll just be a different mentality.
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The key word to describe the 2025 Pats defense? Versatility.
"When you look at Carlton Davis and Gonzo (Christian Gonzalez) outside, and then if Marcus Jones stays healthy, I think he's a true slot corner," McCourty added. "Then I think with (Robert) Spillane and (Ja'Whaun) Bentley, you're gonna have two guys that are gonna know how to run a defense. They're gonna be versatile. Spillane's a guy who can run. Not the ideal kind of big linebacker, thumper.
"So I think when you throw in (Jahlani) Tavai, Bentley, and Spillane, you'll be able to be a little bit more versatile. ... That defense will be able to be aggressive. I think it'll be different than what we've seen."
Also in the episode:
- What does Devin McCourty think about the Patriots prioritizing culture instead of winning now in free agency?
- What do the Patriots lose leadership-wise with the losses of Jonathan Jones, Deatrich Wise, and David Andrews?
- McCourty says it should have been a “no-brainer” to keep Andrews on the roster through training camp.
- Tom E. Curran thinks the Patriots HAVE TO fix the hole at left tackle with the No. 4 pick.
- How would Travis Hunter fit with the Patriots if he falls to No. 4 in the draft?
- Jakobi Meyers reunion in New England?
- McCourty’s reaction to the anniversary of Tom Brady’s announcement he will not be returning to the Patriots.
