Pro Football Focus has the Patriots’ secondary sitting at the top of the NFL heading into the 2026 season.
In a full ranking of league secondaries released Thursday, New England came in at No. 1, with PFF calling it “a top-tier secondary that is only going to get better.” The group is led by Christian Gonzalez, the 24-year-old cornerback who was recently ranked 28th in the league’s annual top-100 players overview. Gonzalez allowed the league’s lowest completion rate in 2025 at 43.4 percent, and the only real question hanging over him is his long-term contract status.
The Patriots’ back end also got a strong year from Craig Woodson, who stepped in as a rookie and developed into a dependable starter. PFF specifically pointed to his work against the run. On the corners, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones give New England more depth, while veteran safety Kevin Byard arrives after leading the league in interceptions with seven last season.
“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 rest of PFF’s top five featured the Texans, Broncos, Eagles, and Steelers. At the other end of the list, the Dolphins finished last.
Elsewhere on the local sports calendar, the Red Sox open a three-game set against Rafael Devers and the San Francisco Giants tonight at Fenway Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Legacy FC are on the road against the North Carolina Courage tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., and the Patriots host the Eagles in their second preseason game Saturday at 7 p.m. The Revolution then face New York City FC at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
The Revolution also had a notable local moment recently, when 17-year-old Judah Siqueira of Easton made his MLS debut in the club’s 3-0 win over D.C. United.
From the Academy to the first team stage. 🏟️
Congratulations to Judah Siqueira on making his MLS debut! pic.twitter.com/rRzclwuel3
- New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 20, 2026
The Patriots Hall of Fame also shared an older interview with former radio voices Gino Cappelletti and Gil Santos.
And on this day in 1984, Red Sox rookie Roger Clemens struck out 15 Royals in an 11-1 Boston win, a glimpse of the Hall of Fame career to come.
In Providence, Alvaro Maneiro scored off a strong assist from Angelo Ventrella in a 4-1 win over Sacred Heart on Thursday.
According to Pro Football Reference, the three Patriots players with at least three interception returns for touchdowns in the regular season are Ty Law, Ted Bruschi, and Andre Tippett.
In Other News...
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Mike Vrabel and teammates took notice of the way Morton kept finding ways to help, which is exactly the sort of versatility that can make a young player harder to ignore in August. Whether his path in New England stays tied to quarterback work, special teams, or a little of both, Morton at least gave the coaching staff something interesting to sort through after a performance that stood out for more than one reason. [Read more 🡒]
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Patriots May Be Sending A Clear Message On Kayshon Boutte
Kayshon Boutte has stayed very much in the mix at Patriots practices, even as his name has started to surface in trade chatter. The Houston Texans interest picked up after receiver Jayden Higgins went down with an injury, but New Englands own recent moves have added another layer to the picture, with the team signing three free agents while Boutte remained on the field.
Those additions can be read as a sign the Patriots are not in a hurry to move him, at least not at a discount. League chatter suggests New England would want a fourth-round pick or better in any deal, a price the Texans may have viewed as too rich. For now, Boutte looks like a player the Patriots still value, which makes the next step in this situation worth watching. [Read more 🡒]