Pats Pulpit
Despite Christian Gonzalez’s apparent unhappiness with his contract situation, the expectation is that the top of the New England Patriots’ cornerback depth chart will be set come the regular season: Gonzalez will be joined in the starting lineup by fellow outside corner Carlton Davis and slot defender Marcus Jones.
What the depth chart will look like behind the trio, meanwhile, is anybody’s guess. One of the players aiming to earn a spot on the roster is veteran free agency signing Kindle Vildor, who was actively involved in the defensive proceedings during offseason workouts.
Name: Kindle Vildor
Position: Cornerback
Jersey number: 28
Opening day age: 28 (12/11/1997)
Measurements: 5’9 7/8”, 190 lbs, 9 5/8” hand size, 32 1/4” arm length, 4.44s 40-yard dash, 7.14s 3-cone drill, 4.28s short shuttle, 39 1/2” vertical jump, 11’1” broad jump, 22 bench press reps, 7.55 Relative Athletic Score
NFL: Chicago Bears (2020-22), Tennessee Titans (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2023), Detroit Lions (2023-24), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025), New England Patriots (2026-) | College: Georgia Southern (2016-19)
Despite only being ranked a two-star recruit coming out of North Park High School in College Park, GA — partially because he only started playing the sport as a sophomore — Vildor received multiple scholarship offers. One of them came from Georgia Southern, where he ended up spending his entire four-year college career while appearing in 48 games and being named first-team All-Sun Belt on two separate occasions (2018, 2019).
His college success paved the way for Vildor to be selected 163rd overall in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He started his career with the Bears, for whom he played 45 games over three seasons. However, he did not make it to the end of his rookie pact and was released ahead of 2023 roster cuts.
Vildor was picked up by the Mike Vrabel-led Titans as a waiver claim but was let go again after only two games. Following a brief stint on the Eagles practice squad, he joined the Lions later during the same season. He actually remained in Detroit through 2024 as well, playing a total of 26 games with the organization before leaving it for a one-year deal with the Buccaneers in 2025.
Including his 2025 season, Vildor has appeared in 80 regular season and five playoff games, and caught two interceptions. He also has a sack and a fumble recovery on his résumé.
Strengths: Vildor is an experienced press-man cornerback who has a powerful punch and stout lower body, allowing him to get into wide receivers’ chests at the release. He plays with active hands and has the length to reach around at the catch point and disrupt throws headed his way, while also bringing some good linear speed to the battle. While best suited to perform in man-to-man shells, he also has found success playing zone coverage and coming downhill versus the run. In addition, he offers versatility in the kicking game and has the...
