New England Patriots: 5 players who need to win fans over in 2018

Eric Rowe’s time is now

Eric Rowe could even make fans forget about Malcolm Butler or wish the team kept the XLIX hero.

Whichever ends up being the case, there is one thing that is certain.  The New England Patriots are going to give Rowe every opportunity to hold onto that No. 2 cornerback position.  If anything, his versatility will have him on the field even if he struggles to step up in the role.

It is his ability to play the slot corner position as well as the outside that has Patriots head coach Bill Belichick lauding the capabilities Rowe adds to the team.

"“Eric’s a player with good versatility,” Belichick said . “He played safety in college, has played on the perimeter, he’s played inside, he’s played in some dime situations for us, rarely as a linebacker, obviously passing situations, but he has multiple skills. He’s a smart guy. He’s able to handle multiple assignments. So, again, we need players like that. Every team needs players like that on the roster. Every guy doesn’t have to be able to do that, but you’ve got to have somebody that has some versatility. He certainly falls into that category.”"

Now in his fourth NFL season and third with the New England Patriots, Rowe needs to stay healthy and also prove he can produce consistently.  At 6-foot-, 205 pounds, the Utah product has the size to compete against bigger receivers and could be a nice compliment to Stephon Gilmore.

However, if he gives up too many big plays early in the season, Rowe may find himself playing primarily in the slot.