Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots will sign veteran cornerback EJ Biggers to a one year deal. We’ve been waiting for a depth signing at cornerback, and expected it might be Tarrell Brown, who looked like he might be a starter prior to re-injuring his foot early last season.
Biggers has some versatility, seeing time both in the slot and at safety in recent years with the Redskins and Eagles. He played 46 percent of the defensive snaps and 60 percent of the special teams snaps for the Eagles last year, starting three games at cornerback.
He’ll add some veteran depth at the corner position, but I’d still take Brown back as well. Last year we had remarkable health in the secondary. Usually that is one of the hardest hit positions for injuries. While I’d be fine rolling with Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler starting on the outside, with Justin Coleman in the slot for another season, you can never have too many guys for training camp.
This doesn’t affect my view of the draft need for a corner. There are quite a few corners who match up well with the Pats, but whether or not the Pats take them will depend on value not need.
