Heading toward the 2023 regular season, the New England Patriots cornerback group was considered a definitive strength of the team and one of the best in the NFL. And why would it not have been?
Steady veteran Jonathan Jones had starter experience both inside and outside; Jack Jones and Marcus Jones had shown enticing playmaking potential during their rookie seasons; Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade offered versatility. Additionally, the team invested a first-round draft pick in one of the most promising defensive prospects available, Christian Gonzalez.
What started out as a high-upside group on paper, however, was decimated along the way — to a point where Bryant has now become its only member to appear in every game this season.