New England Patriots: Projected Depth Chart - Part Five

Welcome to the final edition of my projected depth chart. This edition will be focusing on New England's secondary, which includes cornerbacks and safeties.

The Patriots have lots of players on their roster at these positions and there is going to be plenty of competition for roster spots.

Let's get this started, then...

Right Cornerback

The man who New England agreed to give $22 million over four years should be starting at this position and there shouldn't be much competition for the top corner spot.

Leigh Bodden was the Patriots' leader in interceptions last year with five along with Brandon Meriweather.

Bodden's season was highlighted by a Week 11 performance against the Jets, when he had three interceptions in the game, taking one back to the house for one of three defensive touchdowns the Patriots had last year.

Third-year player Jonathan Wilhite could be playing behind Bodden and be used in dime packages.

Wilhite improved in his second season and should see further improvement this year as he looks to step up in a crowded Patriots secondary.

I also like undrafted rookie free agent Terrence Johnson to grab a spot on the practice squad. He is a good special teams player but also has decent potential.

Projected Depth Chart:
1. Leigh Bodden
2. Jonathan Wilhite
3. Terrence Johnson (Practice Squad)

Left Cornerback

Second-year player Darius Butler should be starting across from Bodden after having a good rookie season.

Butler showed improvement through his rookie season as he started more in the second half of the season and capped it off by taking an interception back for a 91-yard touchdown against the Texans in the season finale.

The future is looking good for Butler, who should only get better after a full off-season of preparation.

The Patriots' nickel corner should be none other than their first-round pick from the 2010 draft, Devin McCourty.

McCourty will bring a great work ethic and solid technique to New England's defense. He will also be a key special teams player.

The fifth and final cornerback spot available on the roster should be a fight between former second-round pick Terrence Wheatley and special teams ace Kyle Arrington.

Wheatley has disappointed in his first two seasons in the NFL, having only made four tackles.

Arrington, however, recorded 18 tackles last season alone, as well as being a key special teams player. This is why I think Arrington will beat Wheatley to win the final spot.

Projected Depth Chart:
1. Darius Butler
2. Devin McCourty
3. Kyle Arrington

Free Safety

Brandon Meriweather showed improvements in his game in the 2009 season, and I believe he is well on his way to becoming one of the best safeties in the league.

He is already the top safety on the Patriots' roster and all the other safeties are really just fighting for the chance to play next to Meriweather.

James Sanders will be the man behind Meriweather in case he gets injured. Sanders didn't impress many last season, losing his starting job to Brandon McGowan.

However, Sanders is only entering the second season in a three—season deal and has plenty of time to improve and regain his once promising form.

Projected Depth Chart:
1. Brandon Meriweather
2. James Sanders

Strong Safety

Patrick Chung is my pick to start at the strong safety position next to Meriweather.

Chung only started one game last season, but he has seen an increase in his workload so far this off-season. That may be a telling point of him getting a starting role in his sophomore season.

Last year's starter, Brandon McGowan, should fight off all competition and keep his roster spot to stay on as a Patriot for another season.

Projected Depth Chart:
1. Patrick Chung
2. Brandon McGowan

Round Up

New England's young secondary improved as the season went on last year and I believe that, after another year of experience for key players, they will only be getting better.

Look for Bodden and/or Meriweather to step up as defensive leaders and be a star in the secondary. Also look for New England to record 20+ interceptions this season.

Well, that's it for my projected depth chart series. So far I have named 50 players that I believe(d) will(would) make the roster. The other three spots would, of course, fall to Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko and Jake Ingram. And there it is: my 53—man projected roster.

Hope you enjoyed it.