NFL Draft 2011: 10 Defensive Backs the New York Jets Could Target in the Draft
It has become common knowledge that the New York Jets are looking to heavily improve their pass rush in this year’s draft class.
Yet as the league continues to become increasingly pass-happy, Antonio Cromartie not guaranteed to return and head coach Rex Ryan relentlessly employing blitzers, the Jets need to find their next shut down cornerback or all-around safety.
If the Jets can improve their secondary in the middle-rounds with great value, they will be one step closer to a third-straight AFC Championship.
Of course, the top two cornerbacks—LSU’s Patrick Peterson and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara—will be well out of reach for New York, but should they begin to slip and the Jets can trade up, they must take advantage of the opportunity. Still for the purpose of this list, we’re going to leave the top two options off the list and focus on 10 other defensive backs the Jets should target in this year’s draft.
10. Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB
1 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 211 lbs
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 211 lbs
Career Stats: 160 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.46
Bench Press – 24.0
Vertical Jump – 36.0
Broad Jump – 123.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.93
20-yard Shuttle – 4.06
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
If the Jets don’t believe they can land free agent superstar cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Jimmy Smith, once compared to Asomugha, would be the ideal corner if he falls in the draft. He is slipping due to off-field character concerns, which Jets head coach Rex Ryan could certainly handle.
Without the off-field issues, Smith would rival Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara as the No. 2 overall corner in the class. He has the ideal talent to play in Ryan’s system as he, like Darrelle Revis, can play on an island. He has fantastic size, speed, awareness and leaping ability.
Should he fall to No. 30 overall, he would be an absolute steal. If the Jets could trade up a few slots to land a cornerback with awesome potential and Asomugha’s ability, New York may have to pull the trigger.
9. Rahim Moore, UCLA S
2 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 202 lbs
Career Stats: 180 tackles, 1 sack, 14 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.62
Bench Press – 11.0
Vertical Jump – 35.0
Broad Jump – 115.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.98
20-yard Shuttle – 3.96
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
My No. 1 safety by far, Rahim Moore would be a great fit for the Jets and was even slotted at No. 30 in two of Mel Kiper’s ESPN mock drafts. Although I feel the Jets might have to pass on him in favor of improving their pass-rush, I wouldn’t blame management one bit if they selected him.
He would present a major upgrade for New York as a safety who can do it all. He is being heavily underrated heading into the draft as he will most likely be taken in the second-round despite having first-round talent.
Moore only ranks this low on the list because the Jets will probably need to use their first-round selection on him when a player like Jimmy Smith would be a better addition. Still, Moore is an excellent selection with his fantastic ball-hawking skills and ability to start immediately at the professional level. He reads plays quickly and has great speed to attack the ball and the receiver.
8. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson S
3 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 217 lbs
Career Stats: 275 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 2 sack, 15 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.65
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 35.0
Broad Jump – 116.0
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Another top safety that probably won’t make it to New York, but one the Jets must keep an eye on should he begin to slip in the draft. DeAndre McDaniel is one of the top all-around safeties in the class as well as one of the hardest-hitting. His ability to light up ball carriers would make him one of the biggest fan favorites in New York.
He is very good in run support and would thrive in Rex Ryan’s blitzfest defense. He is a devastating force from the secondary. If the Jets had two corners that could play on an island all to themselves, McDaniel would quickly become one of the best playmaking safeties in the league with his ability to play up front at the line and then quickly drop back to coverage.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State CB
4 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 191 lbs
Career Stats: 145 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack, 6 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.4
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 126.0
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Chimdi Chekwa is a cheaper option at the cornerback position for Rex Ryan but still a more than capable performer. Although NFL.com does not believe he can play on an island, he still has the ability to play at a high level—especially for his price tag.
He was a highly respected player at Ohio State but needs to improve on creating interceptions as he most likely will not intercept many passes with his hands.
The Jets should be able to land him in the third-round, maybe even fourth if he begins to slip. Either round would be fine value as he will prove to be a capable corner, hard worker and easily coachable.
6. Robert Sands, West Virginia S
5 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 217 lbs
Career Stats: 110 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 6 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.57
Bench Press – 12.0
Vertical Jump – 35.0
Broad Jump – 124.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.03
20-yard Shuttle – 4.06
60-yard Shuttle – 12.2
Robert Sands is one of the top all-around safeties in the class who can cover a lot of real estate with his speed. He is a solid tackler and one of the hardest-hitting safeties in this draft. He is active against the run and won’t allow many receivers to go over the middle on him. He has very good awareness and ball-hawking skills to create and intercept passes.
Sands is a mature player and would fit in well with New York’s veteran defense. “Durability is not a concern as he has saw action in all 26 career games the past two seasons… Mature and respectful. Developed into the vocal leader on WVU's defense. Always picking up and challenging teammates,” according to ESPN’s Scouts Inc.
5. Cortez Allen, Citadel CB
6 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 197 lbs
Career Stats: 5 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.51
Bench Press – 18.0
Vertical Jump – 35.5
Broad Jump – 129.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.76
20-yard Shuttle – 4.01
60-yard Shuttle – 10.87
Cortez Allen is gaining momentum heading into the draft as a potential third-round selection but will most likely be drafted in the fourth.
With quality coaching, he could be a good No. 2 corner with his size and physicality. He will jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, which every coach wants to see to effectively blitz the opposition. If coached right, Allen will be a steal in the middle-rounds as he has the talent to progress into a very good NFL cornerback.
4. Tyler Sash, Iowa S
7 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 211 lbs
Career Stats: 216 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 13 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.62
Bench Press – 11.0
Vertical Jump – 33.0
Broad Jump – 108.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.9
20-yard Shuttle – 4.27
60-yard Shuttle – 11.56
One of my favorite safeties in the class for his speed and toughness. Tyler Sash is a shooting bullet roaming the secondary and has great ball-hawking and tackling skills. He actually reminds me of the Jets’ starting safety Jim Leonhard, as he is an extremely intelligent football player who understands timing and position. He would be a perfect fit for the Rex Ryan’s defense and will be drafted at an extreme discount with his abilities. He has the high football IQ coaches consistently seek and serves as a quarterback and leader for the defense. Expect to hear his name often in the NFL.
3. Jalil Brown, Colorado CB
8 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 204 lbs
Career Stats: 137 tackles, 6 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.53
Bench Press – 24.0
Vertical Jump – 35.5
Broad Jump – 116.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.85
20-yard Shuttle – 4.25
60-yard Shuttle – 11.32
With the right coaching, Jalil Brown can quickly become a No. 2 corner. He will fit in well in Rex Ryan’s defense, which prefers to put his cornerbacks in one-on-one situations. He has good speed, but better uses his powerful frame to reroute receivers. He would receive a ton of praise from both Ryan and superstar Darrelle Revis for jamming receivers in the allotted five-yard radius. He is willing to tackle, which is always a huge plus and will only improve in run support as he is a tough player.
He was “praised for his work ethic at Colorado,” according to NFL.com.
A stand up man and performer, he was “Selected by teammates as a co-captain senior year. Recipient of the 'Iron Buffalo Award' for DB's presented for hard work, dedication, and toughness in the weight room. Also received coaches Gold Group Commitment Award as a junior and senior for excellence both on and off the field. Active in community service,” according to ESPN’s Scouts Inc.
2. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia DB
9 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 198 lbs
Career Stats: 159 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 8 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.46
Bench Press – 19.0
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – N/A
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Ras-I Dowling would have been a first-round selection had he not suffered an injury last season. This means one team can land Dowling at a discount price in the second or third-round. Dowling can do everything the Jets need—especially tackle. More importantly, he offers Rex Ryan versatility as he can play cornerback and safety.
“Has good size and strength for the DC position. Is diligent about keeping outside contain versus the run. Not afraid to mix it up. Solid tackler; does a better job than most of breaking down and wrapping up in space. Flashes the awareness to go for the strip when possible,” states ESPN’s Scouts Inc. who also believes his instincts, recognition and run support is exceptional.
Without a second-round pick, the Jets have to hope he will fall to them in the third-round. Of course, it is possible general manager Mike Tannenbaum could trade back into the second-round or early third-round to land the versatile Dowling.
Oddly enough, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has San Diego selecting Dowling in the second-round—at New York’s spot.
1. Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson DB
10 of 10Height: 5’10”
Weight: 195 lbs
Career Stats: 190 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 1 interception
40-yard Dash – 4.51
Bench Press – 26.0
Vertical Jump – 38.5
Broad Jump – 119.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.81
20-yard Shuttle – 4.12
60-yard Shuttle – 11.19
Marcus Gilchrist ranks at the top of the list for his ability to line up across the secondary and because the Jets could land him with their third-round pick outright. Like Dowling, he is very good in run support at the cornerback and safety positions.
He is a durable player with great instincts, speed and work ethic. He is the type of player who can become an instant favorite of Ryan’s and Jets fans.
“Played in all 40 games during first three seasons (2007-'09), including 15 starts…Versatile DB. Coaches speak highly of his football intelligence and work ethic. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge,” states ESPN’s Scouts Inc.
Simply put, Gilchrist would be a perfect fit for New York.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
