As improved as this unit was all season not everyone had a good season, actually only a few were standouts while others were picked a part and their age showed they ability is less to be desired moving forward. Starting with the safeties a much improved unit this past season.
Box Safety Calvin Pryor took a major step forward becoming not only a leader of the secondary but showed how dominant he could be in the right situation. Pryor is known for being that "Louisville Slugger" out of college and stepped onto the stage last season and was flat out lost in space. Todd Bowles a former safety came in and not only helped Calvin adjust but put him in a position to succeed in this league. Behind Pryor on the depth chart is former Trojan Dion Bailey a hybrid safety-linebacker kind of like Antonio Allen in the "Spur" position gives the approach of playing anyone of these guys as an additional linebacker shooting the gaps on blitz from different starting points. Not only are these three guys physical at the point of attack they all have the athleticism to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield in coverage unlike traditional strong safeties these guys are utilized in many different schemes. Grade for 2015 (A-).
Strong Safety Marcus Gilchrist was a surprising addition, not really known for his cover skills was asked to cover on occasion tight ends and was so, so in doing so. At times it looked like Gilchrist was jumping on the back of offensive players for a ride instead of tackling them to the ground. But when Gilchrist was playing up at the line of scrimmage he was a force to be reckoned with against run. Behind MG there were a number of players, but the most consistent whom finally made the leap to the active roster was locker room favorite Rontez Miles who showed he is a capable all around safety. Have to figure Miles should be back if they can re-sign him this off season. Still there might be a need for a true cover safety (FS), but these two showed enough potential to hold down the opposite side of Pryor and Bailey giving us a formidable foursome. Grade for 2015 (B-).
Nickel Corner Buster Skrine, woah baby he had some good to great moments and others scratching our heads like wtf. Really thought Dexter McDougle was going to take that next step but with the new regime stepping in they had to get someone that was proven, rather hanging their hat on a hopeful. Unfortunately Skrine, didn't play at the level he was expected to be at. Not saying he sucked, but he was less than average at that position. Like Gilchrist he was seen riding opponents rather than tackling them. Who knows maybe we can see Skrine play some cover safety in certain schemes to show his ability to be that ball hawk potential. Grade for 2015 (C+).
Outside Corner Darrelle Revis, age has certainly caught up with him. Long speed has surely decreased but his technical attributes are still top notch. Moving forward the pass coverage will have to have a patrolling safety over the top to help defend deep passes so Revis and company won't get caught with their pants down so to speak. Even though Revis clearly lost a step he still brings a lot to the table and for at least the next two seasons he not only will be an intricate part of our secondary he will be a mentor to the younger crowd trying to develop their skill sets. Grade for 2015 (B-).
Outside Corner Antonio Cromartie, like Revis age has crept up and taken hold of AC. Long speed, injuries and overall production took a real hit this past season. Cromartie even on kick off return attempts looked slow and sluggish unable to break away from arm tackles just showing his age. AC looks to be a cap casualty this off season with a staggering $8 million cap for 2016, unfortunately not worth those pennies. Grade for 2015 (C-).
Corner Marcus Williams, just wow factor. Arguably the best corner on the team next too Darrelle Revis. Williams led the defense with six interceptions and showed the type of competitor he could become. He could very well replace Cromartie opposite Revis next season or be the "X" factor in a few different ways. Williams showed his versatility playing some free safety when a few of his teammates were banged up. Grade for 2015 (A+).
Defensive Back Darrin Walls, was limited to special teams and was actually quite good in his role. He was very limited on the defensive side of the game plan, and is an unrestricted free agent this off season. Not looking good that he will get a new deal. Grade for 2015 (C+).
Strong Safety Ronald Martin, showed some potential but bounced back n forth from active roster to practice squad. Martin is likely to be around for a few more years being that he is in his rookie deal and whether he develops further is yet to be seen. Grade for 2015 (Incomplete).
Injured Reserve Safeties Antonio Allen & Jaiquawn Jarret both showed good depth in both their relative positions but both aren't going to be retained. If one is re-signed likely Allen just because he brings an unique presence to the table being able to line up as a cover safety, linebacker and/or cover corner. Grade for 2015 (Incomplete).
Moving forward there is a glaring need for a corner. Do we address it this draft or next year? Either way this unit as a group Grade for 2015 (B+). with room to get better.
Box Safety Calvin Pryor took a major step forward becoming not only a leader of the secondary but showed how dominant he could be in the right situation. Pryor is known for being that "Louisville Slugger" out of college and stepped onto the stage last season and was flat out lost in space. Todd Bowles a former safety came in and not only helped Calvin adjust but put him in a position to succeed in this league. Behind Pryor on the depth chart is former Trojan Dion Bailey a hybrid safety-linebacker kind of like Antonio Allen in the "Spur" position gives the approach of playing anyone of these guys as an additional linebacker shooting the gaps on blitz from different starting points. Not only are these three guys physical at the point of attack they all have the athleticism to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield in coverage unlike traditional strong safeties these guys are utilized in many different schemes. Grade for 2015 (A-).
Strong Safety Marcus Gilchrist was a surprising addition, not really known for his cover skills was asked to cover on occasion tight ends and was so, so in doing so. At times it looked like Gilchrist was jumping on the back of offensive players for a ride instead of tackling them to the ground. But when Gilchrist was playing up at the line of scrimmage he was a force to be reckoned with against run. Behind MG there were a number of players, but the most consistent whom finally made the leap to the active roster was locker room favorite Rontez Miles who showed he is a capable all around safety. Have to figure Miles should be back if they can re-sign him this off season. Still there might be a need for a true cover safety (FS), but these two showed enough potential to hold down the opposite side of Pryor and Bailey giving us a formidable foursome. Grade for 2015 (B-).
Nickel Corner Buster Skrine, woah baby he had some good to great moments and others scratching our heads like wtf. Really thought Dexter McDougle was going to take that next step but with the new regime stepping in they had to get someone that was proven, rather hanging their hat on a hopeful. Unfortunately Skrine, didn't play at the level he was expected to be at. Not saying he sucked, but he was less than average at that position. Like Gilchrist he was seen riding opponents rather than tackling them. Who knows maybe we can see Skrine play some cover safety in certain schemes to show his ability to be that ball hawk potential. Grade for 2015 (C+).
Outside Corner Darrelle Revis, age has certainly caught up with him. Long speed has surely decreased but his technical attributes are still top notch. Moving forward the pass coverage will have to have a patrolling safety over the top to help defend deep passes so Revis and company won't get caught with their pants down so to speak. Even though Revis clearly lost a step he still brings a lot to the table and for at least the next two seasons he not only will be an intricate part of our secondary he will be a mentor to the younger crowd trying to develop their skill sets. Grade for 2015 (B-).
Outside Corner Antonio Cromartie, like Revis age has crept up and taken hold of AC. Long speed, injuries and overall production took a real hit this past season. Cromartie even on kick off return attempts looked slow and sluggish unable to break away from arm tackles just showing his age. AC looks to be a cap casualty this off season with a staggering $8 million cap for 2016, unfortunately not worth those pennies. Grade for 2015 (C-).
Corner Marcus Williams, just wow factor. Arguably the best corner on the team next too Darrelle Revis. Williams led the defense with six interceptions and showed the type of competitor he could become. He could very well replace Cromartie opposite Revis next season or be the "X" factor in a few different ways. Williams showed his versatility playing some free safety when a few of his teammates were banged up. Grade for 2015 (A+).
Defensive Back Darrin Walls, was limited to special teams and was actually quite good in his role. He was very limited on the defensive side of the game plan, and is an unrestricted free agent this off season. Not looking good that he will get a new deal. Grade for 2015 (C+).
Strong Safety Ronald Martin, showed some potential but bounced back n forth from active roster to practice squad. Martin is likely to be around for a few more years being that he is in his rookie deal and whether he develops further is yet to be seen. Grade for 2015 (Incomplete).
Injured Reserve Safeties Antonio Allen & Jaiquawn Jarret both showed good depth in both their relative positions but both aren't going to be retained. If one is re-signed likely Allen just because he brings an unique presence to the table being able to line up as a cover safety, linebacker and/or cover corner. Grade for 2015 (Incomplete).
Moving forward there is a glaring need for a corner. Do we address it this draft or next year? Either way this unit as a group Grade for 2015 (B+). with room to get better.