Jonathan Jones is one of the more under-appreciated talents for the Patriots.
When the New England Patriots are building a game plan to stop an elite slot receiver, they tend to turn to cornerback Jonathan Jones.
He’s technically the fourth cornerback on the depth chart behind Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty and JC Jackson. But Jones is the No. 1 slot cornerback, which has turned into a starting position in itself. That’s why New England signed him to a three-year extension to start the 2019 season, a year in which he spent time covering receivers like Tyreek Hill.
In 2020, the emphasis of slot receivers — and slot cornerbacks — will likely only continue to climb. NFL teams love using three receivers, including a slot option with rare speed and agility. That means more work for Jones. During a videoconference call on Tuesday, Jones was asked about the increased emphasis on the slot position, both in free agency spending and in-season usage.
“I think the numbers show that offenses are in 11 personnel (with three receivers) the majority of the season, the majority of the game,” Jones said. “So, that third wide receiver is kind of extremely more valuable. Before, he’d kind of be used just on third downs and brought in in that package. Like I said, teams are running sub-offenses for all three downs, so that’s kind of increased the value of it on the offensive side. So, therefore on defense, we kind of have to match that. So, the slot guys and more the nickel guys and the third and fourth corners are kind of increasing their value because, the offenses are using their receivers that much more.”
Chris Godwin (86 catches, 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019) and Cooper Kupp (94 catches, 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns) are a nice example of why the slot position isn’t seen as a limited one. It used to be that NFL agents would impress upon their players that they’re not just slot receivers, which was essentially a marketing tactic to help them ear . Now, with those receivers, like Golden Tate and Adam Humphries, racking up big salaries in free agency, the slot label is almost a badge of honor.
While the slot cornerback market hasn’t quite heated up in the same way, he certainly doesn’t consider himself — or any slot player — limited.
“I wouldn’t say so much. I think, especially in our defense, guys line up outside, inside and a little bit of both,” Jones said. “I think the way football is starting to trend, just being the more you can do within the defense, and like I said, not limiting yourself to just being able to play the slot – being able to play outside and vice versa.”
This upcoming season will be another big year for Jones, whose role in the slot is likely to be just as important.
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