Following a productive free agency that added highly talented players to the Patriots' roster for the 2025 season, there was a strong belief that the secondary would be among the team's strongest units. Besides Christian Gonzalez leading the starting group, new signee Carlton Davis would complement him on the other side.
That remains true going into the preseason, but the backups have gotten a bit more reps than usual over the past few weeks, as Davis and Gonzalez have been dealing with injuries. Then, earlier this week, second-year defensive back Marcellas Dial suffered a torn ACL, giving even more reps to needy players.