New England Patriots
Jones hasn’t been given as many offensive snaps the last two seasons, but he’s statistically one of the best punt returners in NFL history.
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) waves to his teammates after returning a punt for a touchdown. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
The Patriots have no shortage of versatile players in their franchise history, especially over the last 25 years.
From Tom Brady’s quick-kick punts, to wide receiver Troy Brown playing an entire season as a slot corner – and doing it well – the dynasty era Patriots created memorable moments on both sides of the ball.
Marcus Jones brought some of that two-way flare back to New England. In 2022, the corner played a handful of offensive snaps as a slot wide receiver, and caught a touchdown pass that season.
Over the last two years, he hasn’t been given many real offensive opportunities, but his success as a returner proves he could still excel in that role if Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels chose to use him in that way.
Jones has two punt return touchdowns this season, and the best statistical punt return average in NFL history (minimum 75 attempts) at 14.6 yards per return.
Along with that, he’s having his best defensive season in 2025, earning AFC defensive player of the month honors in October, recording 20 tackles, one sack, eight passes defended and two interceptions in that four game stretch.
As he gears up for his first Super Bowl appearance, where does Marcus Jones rank among the best two-way players in Patriots history?
Honorable mention: Dan Connolly
Dan Connolly was absolutely not a two-way player. He was an offensive guard for his entire Patriots and NFL tenure. However, he did have one shining moment of athleticism in New England.
The lineman, normally tasked with blocking on kickoffs, had one kick aimed directly at him. Connolly didn’t hesitate to not only catch the kick, but get himself into a full sprint and nearly return the kick for a touchdown. That one iconic play was worthy enough of a shoutout on our list.
5. Elandon Roberts
Roberts is undoubtedly the least exciting player on this list, but he played an important two-way role for New England in 2019.
In between the James Develin and Jakob Johnson eras of Patriots fullbacks, Roberts took on those duties along with being a rotational linebacker. He did record one highlight on offense, catching a pass from Tom Brady out of the backfield and taking it 38 yards for his first career touchdown.
Plenty of defensive players have come in to play fullback situationally for the Patriots, including Khyiris Tonga most recently. But Roberts took on that role with far more regularity than most, earning a spot on our list.
4. Julian Edelman
Before Edelman carved out a permanent role in New England’s offense, he was working two jobs as a depth receiver and a nickel and dime defensive back for Bill Belichick.
Edelman only played a few games as a DB, but made a few tackles and laid a big hit on future Hall of Fame quarterback Donovan McNabb. His crowning moment of two-way prowess came in the 2011 AFC championship game, when he played 20-plus snaps on both offense and defense that night. In that game he had a catch, a rush attempt, a tackle and two punt returns.
Since 2006, Edelman and Travis Hunter are the only two players to play 20-plus snaps on offense and defense in a game.
In terms of overall star power for the Patriots over the last 25 years, it’s hard to top Edelman. He won a Super Bowl MVP, has three Super Bowl rings and has the third most playoff receptions of all time. However, given his very short time playing two ways, he didn’t get higher on this list.
3. Marcus Jones
Jones has been nothing short of electric in New England. He has enough versatility to blitz the quarterback, match up stride for stride with slot receivers, and create running lanes as a returner and gadget offensive player.
For any corner to have six touchdowns in his first four seasons is valuable. But it proves just how lethal Jones can be. He has three career return touchdowns, two defensive touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown since 2022.
The Patriots are fortunate to have enough offensive talent that they don’t need Jones in that role any longer. But even if he spends the rest of his career as just a defensive back and returner, he’ll have enough of a resume to consider himself among the game’s more versatile athletes.
Patriots fans are probably hoping they haven’t seen the last of Jones moonlighting as a receiver in Foxborough though, given just how exciting he is with the ball in his hands.
2. Troy Brown
Troy Brown might be able to make a claim as one of the most underrated receivers in NFL history considering he’s not very well known by anyone outside of New England.
The Patriots Hall of Fame receiver was a beloved member of the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl wins. He came into the league in 1993, but didn’t hit his peak until almost a decade into his career.
Brown’s three year stretch from 2000-02 provided some of his best work offensively. During that time he totaled 3,033 yards, with a career-high 1,199 yards in the 2001 season. That was his only Pro Bowl year in the NFL.
Later in his career, while his receiving stats declined, he started playing in all three phases of the game. In 2004, he played receiver, defensive back, and still returned punts for New England. His receiving stats were nothing to write home about: 17 receptions for 184 yards. His defensive play though, was a different story.
Brown recorded three interceptions that season, the second-most by any Patriot that year. For added perspective, three interceptions on this year’s Patriots team would be better than Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Craig Woodson, and most of New England’s starters. Only Jaylin Hawkins registered more interceptions this year than Brown did in 2004.
All that in year 11 in the NFL while playing both sides of the ball.
1. Mike Vrabel
Of course, there was no more iconic two-way player in Patriots history than their current coach, Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was a menacing linebacker in the early years of New England’s dynasty who just so happened to be a magnet for the football when subbing in at tight end on the goal line.
Vrabel had 10 career receiving touchdowns, including two different Super Bowl touchdowns, an incredibly impressive feat considering he was not just a full-time linebacker, but a Pro Bowler and All-Pro at his regular defensive position. He is currently seventh all time on New England’s sack leaders list as well.
If Jones ever has hopes of becoming the best dual threat in Patriots history, he’ll have to go through his own head coach to get there.
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