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Jets offseason preview: Cornerbacks
February, 15, 2015
Feb 15
8:00
AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
With the NFL scouting combine (Feb. 17-23) and free agency (March 10) approaching, we take a position-by-position look at the New York Jets as they head into the offseason:
Position: Cornerback
Walls
2014 snaps:
•Darrin Walls: 74 percent
•Marcus Williams: 44 percent
•Kyle Wilson: 31 percent
•Phillip Adams: 26 percent
•Dee Milliner: 11 percent
Key stat: The Jets' cornerbacks produced only two interceptions, tied for fewest in the league. Let's face it, the coverage wasn't good. The Jets allowed a 64.6-percent completion rate on passes to wide receivers, 26th in the league.
Pending free agents: Adams (unrestricted), Wilson (unrestricted)
2015 cap hits:
•Milliner: $3.45 million (No. 34)
•Walls: $1.05 million
•Dexter McDougle: $674,719
•Curtis Brown: $660,000
•Williams: $510,000
•Dashaun Phillips: $435,000
•Keith Lewis: $435,000
Money matters: The good news is that John Idzik's relative inactivity last offseason has left the Jets with a ton of cap space. The bad news is that Idzik's relative inactivity has left them with little talent. They paid Milliner close to $9 million for his first two seasons, and all they got for it was 16 games, which included a few good ones and a bunch of poor to mediocre ones. His 2015 base salary ($585,000) and roster bonus ($971,010) are fully guaranteed. All told, the Jets have $6.1 million in cap space tied up in their cornerbacks, 26th in the NFL.
Big picture: The Jets should post an "Under Construction" sign on the cornerback position. Basically, they're starting over, and that's a scary proposition for new coach Todd Bowles, who needs top man-to-man corners to play his blitz-heavy scheme. With the Arizona Cardinals last season, Bowles rushed five or more on 277 snaps, second only to the St. Louis Rams. (In case you're wondering, the Jets were 14th with 189.) The Jets need a No. 1-caliber corner and they might need a No. 2, depending on Milliner's recovery from Achilles' surgery. While we're at it, throw in a slot corner, too, because Wilson isn't likely to return.
Need, need, need. Look for GM Mike Maccagnan to jump into the cornerback market as soon as free agency gets started. If he had to pick one position to spend big money, this would be it. The Jets will make a play for Darrelle Revis if he doesn't renegotiate a deal with the New England Patriots by March 10. Another former Jet, Antonio Cromartie, also is on the radar. Maccagnan is familiar with Kareem Jackson from their time together with the Houston Texans, so he's a possibility.
Free-agent market watch: Tarell Brown, Cromartie, Brandon Flowers, Jackson, Byron Maxwell, Patrick Robinson, Walter Thurmond, Charles Tillman and Tramon Williams.
February, 15, 2015
Feb 15
8:00
AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
With the NFL scouting combine (Feb. 17-23) and free agency (March 10) approaching, we take a position-by-position look at the New York Jets as they head into the offseason:
Position: Cornerback
Walls
2014 snaps:
•Darrin Walls: 74 percent
•Marcus Williams: 44 percent
•Kyle Wilson: 31 percent
•Phillip Adams: 26 percent
•Dee Milliner: 11 percent
Key stat: The Jets' cornerbacks produced only two interceptions, tied for fewest in the league. Let's face it, the coverage wasn't good. The Jets allowed a 64.6-percent completion rate on passes to wide receivers, 26th in the league.
Pending free agents: Adams (unrestricted), Wilson (unrestricted)
2015 cap hits:
•Milliner: $3.45 million (No. 34)
•Walls: $1.05 million
•Dexter McDougle: $674,719
•Curtis Brown: $660,000
•Williams: $510,000
•Dashaun Phillips: $435,000
•Keith Lewis: $435,000
Money matters: The good news is that John Idzik's relative inactivity last offseason has left the Jets with a ton of cap space. The bad news is that Idzik's relative inactivity has left them with little talent. They paid Milliner close to $9 million for his first two seasons, and all they got for it was 16 games, which included a few good ones and a bunch of poor to mediocre ones. His 2015 base salary ($585,000) and roster bonus ($971,010) are fully guaranteed. All told, the Jets have $6.1 million in cap space tied up in their cornerbacks, 26th in the NFL.
Big picture: The Jets should post an "Under Construction" sign on the cornerback position. Basically, they're starting over, and that's a scary proposition for new coach Todd Bowles, who needs top man-to-man corners to play his blitz-heavy scheme. With the Arizona Cardinals last season, Bowles rushed five or more on 277 snaps, second only to the St. Louis Rams. (In case you're wondering, the Jets were 14th with 189.) The Jets need a No. 1-caliber corner and they might need a No. 2, depending on Milliner's recovery from Achilles' surgery. While we're at it, throw in a slot corner, too, because Wilson isn't likely to return.
Need, need, need. Look for GM Mike Maccagnan to jump into the cornerback market as soon as free agency gets started. If he had to pick one position to spend big money, this would be it. The Jets will make a play for Darrelle Revis if he doesn't renegotiate a deal with the New England Patriots by March 10. Another former Jet, Antonio Cromartie, also is on the radar. Maccagnan is familiar with Kareem Jackson from their time together with the Houston Texans, so he's a possibility.
Free-agent market watch: Tarell Brown, Cromartie, Brandon Flowers, Jackson, Byron Maxwell, Patrick Robinson, Walter Thurmond, Charles Tillman and Tramon Williams.
