The Jets are still in need of a top tier cornerback

The young and inexperienced cornerback group showed flashes of promise in 2021.

But the Jets are not satisfied at cornerback.

There are people within the Jets building who want to use premium assets to upgrade the cornerback position. Some within the building even mentioned potentially using one of the two top-10 picks, depending on how free agency shakes out.

The Jets cornerback group consisted of fifth, sixth rounders and undrafted players. But in 2021, they exceeded expectations.

Bryce Hall finished with 16 pass breakups, sixth-most in the NFL. Brandin Echols flashes NFL starter potential with two interceptions, second most among rookies (and the Jets’ only two of the season), and QBs had a passer rating of 80 when targeting his marks. Michael Carter II only allowed one touchdown in coverage.

However, two things can be true. The group played beyond most expectations and the Jets must add legit talent to the cornerback spot.

The Jets pass defense allowed a 103 passer rating in coverage, second highest and 4,682 yards passing, third most according to Next Gen Stats as the Jets finished 30th in overall passing yards allowed.

That doesn’t all fall on the cornerback group.

The pass rush dwindled as the season progressed and finished with 33 sacks, seventh fewest in the NFL. That only made the Jets cornerbacks’ job harder.

Rush and coverage go hand in hand. If the pass rush is stout, then cornerbacks don’t have to cover as long and if the coverage is strong, the pass rusher has more time to sack the quarterback.

The safety group suffered a plethora of injuries, which left a revolving door at the position.

Marcus Maye tore his Achilles midway through the season. Lamarcus Joyner tore his triceps Week 1 against the Panthers and was out of the season. Sharrod Neasman, Ashtyn Davis, Elijah Riley, Will Parks, Adrian Colbert and Sheldrick Redwine ended up all taking snaps.

Those issues affected the production of the cornerbacks. So, all three spots need more talent to improve the pass defense.

But Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s defensive system believes in leaving their corners on an island and requires them to win on the money down, aka third downs.

It explains why the Jets were top-five in man coverage usage rate according to TruMedia. But QBs feasted all season.

And one of the defensive Jets challenges was winning on third downs.

When QBs targeted the defensive back group on third down, (which includes safeties), they produced a passer rating of 108, fourth highest in the NFL, and completed 64% of their passes, second highest. And threw for 957 yards, fifth most, according to NGS.

QBs completed 71% of their passes on third down when targeting Hall and produced a passer rating of 129 with three touchdowns on 31 targets. Hall broke up three passes in those situations.

Michael Carter was the best of the group as QBs completed 56% of their throws and two pass breakups. Echols allowed a passer rating of 96 with two pass break ups and 11 receptions on 18 targets.

It would be unfair to expect elite or even good production from this young core in 2021. So they shouldn’t be overly criticized for their inconsistencies on third downs.

But it would be extremely risky to go into 2022 with the same group. It can’t be ignored how the Jets desperately need a cornerback who can become a No. 1.

When Saleh’s 49ers defense was elite in 2019, it unleashed a dominant defensive line in Arik Armstead, DeForst Buckner, Nick Bosa, and Dee Ford. But Richard Sherman was second team All Pro. Calling defense gets easier when you have a cornerback who can limit a team’s No. 1 receiver. It made the safeties’ job easier since they could cheat and condense the middle of the middle of the field because Sherman consistently locked up his side of the field.

For the Jets to get through the Bills and eventually win the AFC East, they must have an answer for the Bills’ Stefon Diggs with Josh Allen. The Dolphins have Jaylen Waddle, who went for 1,015 yards and set the NFL rookie record for receptions (104), and he’ll only get better from here. The Patriots don’t have a legitimate No. 1 receiver threat, but they outscored the Jets by 60 in two games this season.

It is a tough predicament since the Jets have a bunch of needs on their roster, but they would be foolish to ignore cornerback. Defense in 2022 is all about stopping the pass, and the front line in pass defense is still the cornerback.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/pOidI6j