NFL New York Jets

Who Should Stay and Who Should Go For New York Jets: Cornerbacks

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By @GregSulik

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As we continue to break down what the New York Jets should do with their current roster, we reach the one of the two biggest problem areas on the team. The Jets had a multitude of issues at cornerback this year, and John Idzik’s gross mismanagement of the position last offseason was one of the biggest reasons he was fired. The Jets are going to make at least one major addition here this offseason, but first let’s look at what they have internally.

Dee Milliner finished his rookie season strong and the Jets were expecting big things in year two, but a high ankle sprain followed by a torn Achilles’ ended those hopes. Milliner will be back as a starter next season, and the Jets desperately need him to live up to his status as the No. 9 overall pick. Milliner has shown promise, but he needs more reps to continue to adapt to the NFL level. If he can stay healthy, he has a ton of potential. However, that has yet to happen.

In the absence of Milliner, Darrin Walls ended up as the de facto No. 1 corner. He did a respectable job, but he was way out of his depth. Walls led the team with 11 pass deflections and two interceptions, but he also struggled against top receivers. Walls is a quality backup, but the Jets need to make sure that is the role he is in next season.

In the slot, former first round pick Kyle Wilson’s contract has expired, and his time in New York is over. Wilson never came close to living up to his draft status, and the fact that Rex Ryan wasn’t willing to move him outside in spite of all the injuries the Jets had at corner shows you what the team thinks of him. You won’t find any Jets fans sorry to see the first round bust leave.

Dexter McDougle was the team’s third round pick this season, and he was a giant reach by Idzik. Injuries were a huge red flag on McDougle, and he tore his ACL in the preseason and never played a down. The Jets have high hopes for him, and they will be looking for him to compete for a significant role next season. McDougle could end up as Wilson’s replacement, but the truth is the Jets don’t really know what they have until they can get him on the field.

The Jets cycled through a number of other corners throughout the year, and the one who really stood out was Marcus Williams. The undrafted free agent rookie showed great toughness and good instincts in his eight games with the team, and half a season was enough time for him to finish second on the team in pass deflections with seven. Williams is under contract for two more years and is the leading candidate to handle the slot corner duties next season, and he could compete for a starting job. Williams impressed this year, and he could be a diamond in the rough for the Jets.

Finally, Phillip Adams lasted longer than the rest of the replacement corners, but it is unlikely that he will be on the roster next season. He simply gave up too many big plays, and the other players we’ve discussed here (except Wilson) are well ahead of him on the depth chart.

This position was a disaster for the Jets this year, and it is essential that they make at least one major acquisition this offseason. The Jets will also be looking for their young corners to make huge strides next season, especially Milliner. The Jets must get this position fixed this offseason, or the 2015 season will look a lot like the 2014 one.

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

Previously: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends,Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebackers

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