Deal Verified: The Dallas Cowboys are formally trading for New England Patriots starting Quarterback after an official 5-Yrs $95m agreement was reached, However the Star QB Wishes to Address Patriots Fans Before Departing, He Will Replace Departing Dak Prescott….

Why? Head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington are former pupils of Bill Belichick. They may make alterations to the scheme as it existed under their old boss, but in all likelihood they’ll be looking for the same kinds of things the Patriots were looking for in the draft when the greatest coach in the history of the sport was still employed at One Patriot Place.

That means big-bodied linebackers. Two-gapping defensive tackles. Versatile, aggressive safeties. And those we’ll be highlighting here: corners with next-level change-of-direction skills and a healthy appetite for contact.

For years, the Patriots have wanted players who can change course with the best of ’em. Three-cone times well under 7.00 seconds have been the standard, as have been short-shuttle times in the 4.10-second range.

Size hasn’t been the biggest issue for the Patriots at this position, but if you’re checking in under 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, you better have the movement skills to make up for it. We’re talking 40 times in the 4.40s or faster, vertical jumps approaching 37 inches and broad jumps over 10 feet. (Think 5-foot-8, 174-pound Marcus Jones, who didn’t test prior to the draft last year. He very obviously can fly.)

Explosive. Quick. Good tacklers. The kind of players who can thrive in New England’s traditionally man-heavy scheme.

That is, generally speaking, what they’ve liked. And even under new leadership on the defensive side of the ball, we’ll compile this list assuming they’ll continue to favor those same traits.