Analyzing the contract terms for Patriots cornerback Terrance Mitchell

The New England Patriots made cornerback Terrance Mitchell one of the first signings of their 2022 free agency class. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll have a major impact — let alone make the roster.

New England lost J.C. Jackson, its top cornerback, after the Los Angeles Chargers awarded him a massive deal in free agency. Mitchell arrived not long after — but it’s abundantly clear he’s not a 1-for-1 replacement. He is likely to fight his way onto the roster during training camp, where he’ll have to fight against a deep group of cornerbacks (even if the position group lacks a true No. 1 option).

So let’s dive into his contract terms and break down what they mean for Mitchell and the Patriots.

CB Bradley Roby: $1.765M in 2022CB Malcolm Butler: $1.74M in 2022Mitchell: $1.69M in 2022CB A.J. Moore: $1.67M in 2022

The hype around Butler has grown for obvious reasons. Not only was he a Super Bowl hero for the Patriots, but he was also the victim of the most infamous benching in Super Bowl history. So he’s got a drama-filled history with New England. But it’s notable that Butler and Mitchell have roughly the same cap hit — by a difference of just $50,000. Butler’s deal has plenty of incentives. Even so, guaranteed money is king in the NFL. It’s an interesting reflection of both players: New England thinks both players could make the team. The Patriots are also prepared for neither to make the team.

The Patriots have a deep group of players — who may not amount to anything. Jalen Mills is a proven No. 2, but there’s reason to question whether he’ll hold up as well without Jackson in the same defensive backfield. Jonathan Jones is a great slot defender. But past that? New England has Shaun Wade, Myles Bryant, Joejuan Williams and a handful of other unproven players. And the Patriots hadn’t signed Buler prior to Mitchell’s arrival. So it looked like he might have a clean path to playing time. It’s likely Mitchell didn’t have many options and he saw New England’s depth chart as an opportunity to earn playing time.

They need cornerbacks. Badly.

Mitchell was not a particularly impressive performer on one of the NFL’s worst secondaries in 2022. But sometimes, players can up their level of play when surrounded by a stronger supporting cast. New England has an excellent group of safeties, led by Devin McCoury. Maybe Mitchell elevates his play in New England. And if he doesn’t, the Patriots barely lose any money for giving him a tryout.

Eh, I don’t know. The Patriots are alarmingly thin at cornerback. Maybe that changes in the NFL draft, where the Patriots might have some good options at 21st overall (and even later in the draft). For now, Mitchell seems like a solid candidate to sneak onto the roster as CB5 or CB6. But if they add a rookie in one of the top four rounds, that could spell trouble for Mitchell.

The Patriots’ cornerback spot could be the land of opportunity, even if they draft someone at the position in Round 1. New England will host an open competition for snaps — and that’ll mean that Mills and Jones will have to earn their snaps. With Jones hurt and Mills struggling at times, the Patriots are surely going to consider all options.

That’s why Mitchell intrigues me. I recognize his arrival may amount to nothing. But there’s so much opportunity that, if Mitchell were to break out anywhere, it would be on this thin depth chart and under Belichick.