New England Patriots: Ranking the AFC East's Secondaries: Volume 1
The AFC East is filled with dominant secondaries, from notable additions such as the Miami Dolphins acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Buffalo Bills assembling a star-studded safety group. It is one of the best defensive divisions in football, but how do those secondaries stack up against each other? I will be releasing a four-part series […]
The AFC East is filled with dominant secondaries, from notable additions such as the Miami Dolphins acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Buffalo Bills assembling a star-studded safety group. It is one of the best defensive divisions in football, but how do those secondaries stack up against each other? I will be releasing a four-part series ranking each of the four teams' secondaries from best to worst. To kick it off, I have the Miami Dolphins as the most formidable secondary in the AFC East.
1.) Miami Dolphins
On paper, the Miami Dolphins have the best secondary in the division. However, it is important to note that their potential success relies heavily on the cohesion of the unit and their individual stars playing to their peak capability. While Jalen Ramsey has undoubtedly been a standout player, he is coming off a slightly underwhelming season, which can be partially attributed to the overall struggles of the team he played for. The Los Angeles Rams finished as the 21st-ranked coverage defense in 2022, per PFF.
While it is true that Jalen Ramsey had his individual struggles, allowing a 65.1% completion percentage in coverage, it's important to consider the broader context. Among the 65 eligible cornerbacks with a minimum of 400 coverage snaps, Ramsey's completion percentage allowed ranked 39th out of 65 eligible cornerbacks(minimum 400 coverage snaps). It is worth noting that raw numbers alone do not always reflect the true quality of performance.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Ramsey still finished as the ninth-ranked cornerback, indicating that his overall performance was still highly regarded. As someone who has watched some of Jalen Ramsey's 2022 tape, the film suggests that he was better than the numbers indicate and did not show any sign of dwindling physical attributes. Individual performances can vary from season to season, especially as cornerback is a highly variable position. It is possible for players to fall victim to their circumstances, have a lackluster season, and then regain their dominance.
Opposite Ramsey is another former All-Pro in Xavien Howard. Again, at a glimpse, having two former All-Pros in the same secondary is impressive. Despite making the Pro Bowl in 2022, Howard is coming off one of his worst seasons in the NFL. He allowed a 67.5% completion percentage in coverage, ranking him 44th out of the 65 eligible cornerbacks with a minimum of 400 coverage snaps. In this case, the film aligns with the statistical performance, indicating that Howard did not perform up to his previous elite standards. As previously mentioned, it is important to acknowledge that cornerbacks are highly suspectable to fluctuations in their performance from season to season, and Howard's recent struggles may be temporary or influenced by various factors such as a disappointing defensive coordinator.
The reality of this duo is that you have two former All-Pros at cornerback that are both 30 or younger and still in their physical prime. If they can hit their "on paper" potential, they could be a generational pairing. The combination of their individual talents and the potential synergy they could create makes them a formidable force that can disrupt passing attacks and destroy offensive game plans.
The Dolphins also have budding stars in free safety Jevon Holland and cornerback Kader Kohou too. While Holland's coverage performance in 2022 may not have been outstanding, his athleticism and playmaking ability make him a significant threat in coverage. Holland's 2021 rookie season is really where he showed he can be special, as he finished as one of the top free safeties in the entire league by allowing a mere 54.5% completion percentage in coverage. Holland is one of the most athletic safeties in the NFL and plays with high energy.
Kader Kohou, another cornerback on the Dolphins' roster, showcased his skills in his first-ever NFL game during their week one matchup against the New England Patriots. Kohou had an outstanding, borderline all-rookie season, but due to the signing of Ramsey, Kohou's usage will be reduced. However, he is still expected to provide solid depth as an above-average rotational corner. Both Holland and Kohou are 24 years old or younger.
The biggest addition might be Vic Fangio, a well-respected defensive mind that should only maximize this highly talented roster. The Dolphins made him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL, and rightfully so. Over the last ten seasons, Fangio lead secondaries have averaged the 8th least passing yards in the NFL and he has finished with a top-8 passing defense in eight of the last ten seasons. The Dolphins finished as the 31st-ranked pass defense in 2022, so there is a bit of projection to this, but with the defensive additions I am expecting a meteoric rise into a top-five coverage unit.
The question on Patriots fans' minds should be, is there anyone on the team who can threaten their secondary? I think we all know the current answer is likely no unless we see a breakout year by a wide receiver.
Featured image via Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
