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Jul 03, 2023

Jalen Mills’ reconversion to safety appears to be going well for Patriots

FOXBORO — In the search for Devin McCourty’s replacement at safety in the Patriots’ starting defense, Jalen Mills made a strong first impression in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the

FOXBORO — In the search for Devin McCourty’s replacement at safety in the Patriots’ starting defense, Jalen Mills made a strong first impression in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans.

Mills has some ground to make up if he’s going to be part of the Patriots’ starting unit for the third straight season, however. The good news is that the eight-year veteran made the Patriots’ top defensive play in Thursday’s loss, undercutting rookie wide receiver Tank Dell in a pass from No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud for an interception.

“I was actually in man-to-man with the tight end,” Mills said. “He was in the backfield, though. It was a longer down and distance, so I kind of showed a two-high look. I think it was Myles Bryant who was next to me. Once the tight end kind of chipped and released through, I knew that I could take him from depth, but I just kept eyes on the quarterback. He just so happened to look to his right and my left, and I was able to get underneath the route and intercept the ball.”

.@greengoblin on the moveeeeee!!

📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/stlkdFB9eZ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 10, 2023

The fact that Mills was on the field at all, however, means that he’s not viewed by the team as a surefire starter. Fellow safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers all dressed for Thursday night’s game but didn’t play, hanging out on the sideline sans helmets. Cornerback Marcus Jones also sat out despite being in uniform. Mills has primarily been playing with the second unit in training camp, so it made sense to see him in a secondary with Bryant, Jack Jones, Joshuah Bledsoe and rookie Christian Gonzalez to start the game.

Mills has primarily played cornerback through his first two years with the Patriots. It’s actually been a surprise to see how little they’ve utilized his versatility since he also played safety and in the slot early in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. It seems head coach Bill Belichick did initially plan to use him in different roles in the Patriots’ defense when they signed him to a four-year contract, however.

“Yeah, Jalen is an experienced guy, played safety,” Belichick said. “Played all the positions really in the secondary. Played the nickel, played the corner. Played safety at Philly. He played safety here for the first year for the better part of — I think all the spring, then a little bit in training camp. He’s a smart, versatile guy. Played all those positions in the NFL. Gives us some good versatility and experience at different spots.”

The reason Mills wasn’t used more at safety is probably because cornerback Stephon Gilmore started the Patriots’ 2021 season on the physically unable to perform list and then was traded to the Carolina Panthers. The Patriots couldn’t use Mills at safety because they suddenly had a gaping hole at cornerback opposite JC Jackson.

Mills, who teammates have said has stepped up in a leadership role in McCourty’s absence, is down to play anywhere. It’s all up to Belichick.

“Honestly, it’s wherever coach sees fit,” Mills said. “I can play in the slot. I can play strong safety; I can play free safety. I can blitz off the edge. I can do a lot of different things, so I think it’s just about trusting coach to put me in the right position to help this defense, make plays and help the team win games.”

The Patriots internally expected some trial and error in replacing McCourty at free safety. Mills, Peppers and Phillips have the most experience in the role. But players have said they believe they can make up for McCourty’s absence by using multiple players at free safety and disguising looks.

It was reported this offseason that the Patriots planned to release Mills. Instead, they trimmed a year off of his contract and kept him on a reduced deal with a position change.

Mills looked comfortable at safety in limited time Thursday.

There also exists the possibility that history will repeat itself and the Patriots could need him back at cornerback depending on Jack Jones’ legal situation. Jones faces gun chargers for allegedly carrying loaded firearms into Logan Airport.

The Patriots’ cornerback depth would be tested if Jones misses time and if late-round rookies Isaiah Bolden and Ameer Speed can’t contribute right away. The Patriots still have Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones at cornerback, but the team only has Bolden, Speed and other inexperienced cornerbacks Shaun Wade, Rodney Randle and Quandre Mosley behind them. Mills is one of the few players on the roster with actual experience outside.

If Thursday night was a test for Mills, then he passed it with his alert play from safety. His next step is ascending the depth chart above the no-helmet crew in Dugger, Phillips and Peppers.

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