By Patrick Whalen

We’ve got another roster move by the Patriots this morning and its an old friend of the organization. Well, not really an old friend more of a failed second-round pick that could hardly find snaps on the field. Yes ladies and gentleman Cyrus Jones is back. The Pats resigned the defensive back/ punt returner to a two-year deal signing him off of the Ravens practice squad (via Mike Reiss). Reiss also is reporting that Jones will likely top the punt returner depth chart this week.

Jones had his struggles in 2016 as he was primarily used as a returner having 5 fumbles and only 180 return yards. Jones, a highly talented college player out of Alabama, was pinned to be one of the next starting corners for the Pats but he only had 7 total tackles in 2016 and was inactive for the Super Bowl. He was going to gain a larger role and more playing time on special teams in 2017 with the season-ending injury to Julian Edelman in week 3 of the preseason. But Jones would suffer a similar season-ending injury in week 4 of the preseason. Jones was cut on September 1 this year by the Patriots.

If the Patriots can at least gain a solid return man out of Jones at this point its a win for the team. Whether or not he develops into a starting quality corner is still left to be seen but right now all the Patriots need out of him is to be a solid and reliable returner. If in the coming years he can develop into a starting corner or even become one this year would be great because teams are ripping the Pats secondary apart. Stephon Gilmore is still a solid number 1 corner who can play effective man to man defense but Eric Rowe has been absolutely terrible. Rowe’s poor play was highlighted by a second-half benching against the Jags in week 2. So, if Jones can magically remake himself into the kind of corner he was at Alabama who on tape looked like a late first round pick he could find himself finally playing meaningful defensive snaps. As long as Jones can stay healthy and cure his fumbling issues he should be able to make a meaningful contribution on the field this year at least on special teams for the Pats.