Of course the Patriots weren’t done wheeling and dealing after Labor Day weekend, finalizing a deal today that sent Josh Kline and a 4th-round draft pick to the Eagles for cornerback Eric Rowe.
Rowe was the 47th overall pick in 2015 and is a bigger defensive back at 6’1″, 215 pounds. He played free safety his first three years at Utah before moving the cornerback as a senior. Here’s some of the scouting report from NFL.com on Rowe:
Tall cornerback with long frame. Has the ability to disrupt wide receivers off the line of scrimmage and can mirror them out of their release. Jams and disrupts shallow crossers. Will throw his body around in run support if needed. Solid tackler. Attacks ball at catch point and makes it hard for receiver to finish the catch. Was a three-year starter at free safety before moving to cornerback this year. Can break hard on throws in front of him. Instinctive in zone with ball skills to match.
Rowe’s length and ability to play press-man coverage has some teams excited while his ball skills have other teams interested. He doesn’t always play to his timed speed and a team will have to figure out whether or not he’s a safety or a cornerback, but he should come off the board on the second day.
Rowe’s a really interesting addition to a secondary we already looked at as stacked. But they can certainly use the skillset that Rowe has, which is unique but still fits the mold the Pats desire in their defensive backs these days.
First, his size gives them another option against bigger receivers, and they’ll see plenty big receivers this season. Logan Ryan did a good job primarily taking the bigger receivers last year, but Rowe’s size should be useful, potentially against tight ends as well.
Another area we’ve also discussed is that the depth behind Patrick Chung is still unproven in Jordan Richards. Rowe now gives the Patriots another good coverage option at the safety position. And can really back up both safety spots.
In all, Rowe’s presence gives the Pats another extremely athletic option in their secondary. He was a top performer in all seven of the combine’s tests and that’s what made him a mid-second rounder. He brings depth behind Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon. And could push all of those players for their roles. Not to mention Ryan and Harmon could depart in 2017 when they hit free agency.
It’s just another athletic matchup piece who can play man-to-man that Pats can employ however they see fit.
A scary defense just got even more scary.
[…] defense have a shiny new toy to play with in second year corner Eric Rowe. Mike already gave a great breakdown on Rowe’s acquisition, but I’m addicted to making GIFs and wanted to take a closer look at New England’s newest […]