Patriots’ secondary ranked as top unit in NFL by Pro Football Focus heading into 2026 season
Morning Sports Update
“This secondary brings a brilliant blend of youth and experience.”
Where the Patriots’ secondary stacks up: Highlighted by one of the best individual players in the NFL, the Patriots’ secondary is projected to collectively be the best in the league.
According to a complete ranking of secondaries across the NFL released by Pro Football Focus on Thursday, New England enters the 2026 season with the No. 1 unit.
“This is a top-tier secondary that is only going to get better,” PFF noted. The highest profile player in the group is clearly cornerback Christian Gonzalez (who was recently ranked 28th in the league’s annual top-100 players overview). The 24-year-old yielded the league’s lowest completion rate in 2025 at 43.4 percent. Aside from a lack of clarity over his long-term contract status, Gonzalez looks primed for another strong season.
In addition, safety Craig Woodson emerged as a rookie a year ago to become a reliable starter (and particularly effective against the run).
Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones add further talent to the cornerback depth chart, while newly signed veteran safety Kevin Byard is expected to provide another dimension after leading the league in interceptions (with seven) last year.
“This secondary brings a brilliant blend of youth and experience,” PFF concluded. “New England was the only unit to log four games without a missed tackle last season.”
The Texans, Broncos, Eagles, and Steelers completed the top five in the overall rankings. The AFC East rival Dolphins were ranked last.
Trivia: According to Pro Football Reference, only three players in Patriots history have managed three or more interception returns for touchdowns during the regular season. Can you name them?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: Two cornerbacks, one linebacker. Their initials are TL, TB, and AS.
Scores and schedules:
Tonight, the Red Sox begin a three-game series against Rafael Devers and the San Francisco Giants, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park.
Tomorrow, Legacy FC face the North Carolina Courage on the road at 7:30 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the Patriots host the Eagles in the second of the team’s preseason games at 7 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Revolution face New York City FC at Gillette Stadium at 4:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Another local debut: Judah Siqueira, a 17-year-old from Easton, became the latest New Englander to make his MLS debut with the Revolution during the recent 3-0 win over D.C. United.
Looking back at a pair of Patriots legends: The Patriots’ Hall of Fame shared an older interview with former radio voices Gino Cappelletti and Gil Santos.
On this day: In 1984, Red Sox rookie Roger Clemens showcased an early form of his Hall of Fame dominance, striking out 15 Royals in an 11-1 Boston win.
Daily highlight: In Providence’s 4-1 win over Sacred Heart on Thursday, Alvaro Maneiro scored after a beautiful assist from Angelo Ventrella.
Trivia answer: Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Asante Samuel
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