New England Patriots: The team’s 3 hottest hot seats in 2019
3. CB Duke Dawson
After basically a redshirt rookie season, New England Patriots second-year cornerback Duke Dawson is a player to watch in training camp and throughout the postseason.
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As a highly regarded, hard-hitting defensive back coming out of Florida, Dawson was viewed as a physical cornerback who would compete for at least the No. 3 cornerback role on the team.
To start his NFL career, he was headed in the right direction receiving regular practice reps in the early spring sessions and training camp. After playing 17 snaps in the preseason opener, Dawson’s time on the practice field dwindled due to an apparent hamstring injury that landed him on the IR through the early part of the season.
Activated in November, Duke Dawson couldn’t find any consistent playing time. By then, players like JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones and veteran cornerback Jason McCourty settled into roles with the team. Still, the Florida product gained valuable experience from practicing with the team and watching from the sidelines as the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII.
In 2019, he will take what he learned from his rookie season and should have a shot to position himself as the top slot corner ahead of Jones. With his upside and physical ability, all eyes will be on Dawson to be a player worthy of his high-round selection.
While it is unfair to start serving reminders of Cyrus Jones when it comes to Duke Dawson, any struggles he exhibits during training camp and the preseason will be highlighted.