Yesterday I put up some Malcolm Butler highlights with some discussion about his 2015, today it’s his counterpart Logan Ryan‘s turn. Ryan had a great rookie year with five interceptions in 2013, but got knocked down the depth chart in 2014 with the arrival of Revis and Browner. Over those first two years and into the preseason of 2015 Ryan just couldn’t seem to find consistency.
There were plenty of people who were ready to cut him after watching him get torched in the 2015 preseason. At that point it looked like Tarrell Brown would start opposite Butler, but then Brown goes down and Ryan suddenly finds his consistency and becomes a solid starter on the outside when we were wondering if his ceiling was any higher than a backup slot receiver.
Now you look at it and Ryan has 11 interceptions in his first three years, including four last year. The Pats seemed to like him against the bigger receivers and it’s hard to argue he could’ve done a much better job against Demaryius Thomas facing him twice. Still it feels like many aren’t quite sold on Ryan. I’ve even seen some draft need boards listing cornerback near the top of the list.
I’m not sure if the Patriots can retain both Ryan and Butler past 2017. Certainly Butler should get a deal first to set the ground floor for Ryan. I’m also curious to see how Darrell Roberts fits into the equation this year after flashing some playmaking ability in 2015 camp as a rookie.
Ryan has cemented his place as a solid homegrown starter but one who could bolt for greener pastures in 2017.
