The New England Patriots have made several strong moves this offseason, adding key players such as Kevin Byard, Romeo Doubs, Dre’Mont Jones, and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Their offense appears to be in solid shape following these additions, along with the expected arrival of A. J. Brown. The defense has also improved, including through the 2026 NFL Draft. However, cornerback depth remains a concern. That’s where L’Jarius Sneed, a free agent, enters the conversation.
CBS Sports Analyst Zachary Pereles Urges Patriots To Sign Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed
Wide receiver and cornerback depth were considered the Patriots’ biggest needs entering the offseason.
While the receiving corps has been bolstered by the addition of Doubs and the anticipated signing of Brown, New England made only a modest move at cornerback by adding veteran Kindle Vildor.
The team also selected Wake Forest cornerback Karon Prunty in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, CBS Sports analyst Zachary Pereles believes the Patriots would benefit from adding a proven veteran, naming L’Jarius Sneed as an ideal fit.
“Assuming A.J. Brown heads to New England in early June, as is expected, the Patriots’ biggest need is cornerback depth. Christian Gonzalez has never played all 17 games in a season, and Carlton Davis only did it for the first time in his career last year. Things didn’t go as planned for Sneed in Tennessee — he played in just 12 games in two years — but he should still have something left in the tank,” Pereles wrote.
Sneed was selected 138th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 NFL Draft and developed into one of the league’s top cornerbacks. He played a key role in helping Kansas City win back-to-back Super Bowls in 2022 and 2023.
He was traded to the Tennessee Titans during the 2024 offseason, where he signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract. However, his time in Tennessee was underwhelming to say the least.
Over two seasons, Sneed appeared in just 12 games. Quadriceps and knee injuries limited his availability, and his 2025 campaign ended in October when he was placed on injured reserve. The best ability, as coaches love to say, is availability, and that’s been the missing piece.
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The production hasn’t softened the frustration. In those 12 games, Sneed had 49 combined tackles, three pass defenses, and zero interceptions. He ranks 116th on PFSN’s Cornerback Impact metric with a score of 64.5.
But at 29 years old, Pereles believes Sneed can contribute to New England’s defense. If head coach Mike Vrabel and the front office agree, the Patriots would need to ensure he has fully recovered from his quad injury before making a move.
