New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon is the leader in the clubhouse to start Week 1 next to Devin McCourty.
This early in the summer, however, the sophomore defensive back insists isn't keeping track.
“There are no starters right now,” Harmon said last week, via Patriots.com. “My mentality is just trying to get better each and every day and just try to put myself in position to make plays when I’m out there on the field.”
Harmon, who was drafted in the third round just over a year ago, played in 15 games last season--three as a starter in place of the injured Steve Gregory.
He snagged two interceptions, defensed four passes and tallied 30 tackles in his time on the field, prompting the Patriots to release Gregory this offseason. Gregory has yet to sign on elsewhere.
Harmon has taken the bulk of the starter reps in OTAs and minicamp alongside McCourty, Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis. Unless Tavon Wilson or Nate Ebner (or, former Patriot-turned-journeyman Patrick Chung) explodes in training camp, the job is Harmon's to lose. Cornerback Logan Ryan could jockey for a spot on the safety depth chart, as well.
"Your second year is your most important year,” Harmon said. “You want to make that jump. Because you have all that learning experience and now you want to put those learning experiences into you knowing football and knowing different situations that make you a better football player.
". . . This is an important offseason for me."
