The Jets will enter the 2017 league year on March 9 without cornerback Darrelle Revis. The seven-time Pro Bowler was informed of his release last week and the team could potentially be targeting a corner or two in free agency and the draft.
"In pro free agency, there are a number of corners out there this year," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. "And some people debate if they're No. 1, 2 or 3 caliber players, but there is a volume. I'd probably say, without naming any names, there's generally not a lot of No. 1 corners who make it to free agency. Teams either franchise them or they get signed, so you're dealing with guys who aren't true No. 1 corners. But there are some good corners in pro free agency. The flip side of that is you have to pay a premium for that position because they're highly sought after."
Both A.J. Bouye (Houston Texans) and Stephon Gilmore (Buffalo Bills) will be coveted by multiple suitors and could cash in early during free agency. The unrestricted market also will include Morris Claiborne (Dallas Cowboys), Logan Ryan (New England Patriots), Dre Kirkpatrick (Cincinnati Bengals) and Prince Amukamara (Jacksonville Jaguars).
The Green & White may also use the draft as a way to solidify the secondary. Maccagnan and head Todd Bowles share a sentiment of building through the draft, and the 2017 defensive back class is extremely talented. ESPN's Todd McShay currently has 10 DBs in his top 33 players overall.
"In the college draft, this appears to be a very deep group of defensive backs for both safeties and corners," Maccagnan said.
Potential First-Round DBs:
- S Jamal Adams (LSU)
- S Malik Hooker (OSU)
- CB Marshon Lattimore (OSU)
- S Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)
- CB Sidney Jones IV (Washington)
- CB Quincy Wilson (Florida)
- CB Teez Tabor (Florida)
- CB Tre'Davious White (LSU)
- CB Adoree' Jackson (USC)
- CB Marlon Humphrey (Alabama)
