Report: Top-Rated Safety Called ‘Ideal Replacement’ For Devin McCourty

The New England Patriots didn’t make the Super Bowl this season as Julian Edelman predicted. Head coach Bill Belichick and his players lost the wild-card game to the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots have entered the offseason a little too early. This gives the team enough time to fix the roster and fill up all the holes. According to several sources, the Patriots will have to find a replacement for Devin McCourty.

The veteran will enter free agency in the offseason. His departure would leave a big hole on the Patriots’ roster. Of course, McCourty may decide to stay with the Patriots.

A younger replacement for Devin McCourty

Zach Cox of NESN says that Jessie Bates III is the best replacement for McCourty.

“With Devin McCourty’s future uncertain, the Patriots could be looking for a new starting free safety for the first time in a decade. Bates was arguably the NFL’s best in that role in 2020, earning the highest PFF grade of any safety. He wasn’t the same dominant player this season — he had some rough games in coverage — but he’s shown terrific durability and versatility over his four-year career and will be just 25 years old when the 2022 campaign begins. If Cincinnati lets Bates hit the market and McCourty departs, he’d be an ideal replacement for the future Patriots Hall of Famer. Cost could be an issue, though, if Bates commands elite safety money.”

The Cincinnati Bengals safety looked much better than any other player in his position this season. His great performance helped the Bengals win a lot of games. Belichick likes great players and Bates is one of them. His great durability makes him a good fit for the Patriots.

Bates entered the NFL in 2018 and has seen action in all but two games. Belichick will definitely appreciate the fact that Bates was able to make the 100-tackle mark almost every season so far. Will the Patriots head coach invest in someone like Bates? The 24-year-old will give the Patriots the much needed boost.