Jets roll dice with young CBs
The Jets didn’t add a veteran corner after the draft, a move that raised a few eyebrows, but Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas wanted to give the young cornerbacks all the reps during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Saleh felt this would give them the best opportunity to develop. Now the head coach is rolling with his young cornerbacks as the Jets gear up for training camp.
“We’ve seen some good improvement. Joe and I were just talking about some of the rookies and the improvements that they’ve made,” Saleh said. “These are going to be really great moments for those guys because we are going to be able to see what they are capable of doing. There has been some good improvement and there’s a lot to look forward to.”
The reasons why there’s been discussion about the Jets bringing on a veteran cornerback were because of the overall talent and inexperience of the group.
Justin Hardee, who joined as a free agent in March, spent four years as a special teamer in New Orleans. But other than Hardee, none of Gang Green’s cornerbacks have been in the NFL longer than three years. And only Bless Austin has double-digit starts (16).
In the draft, they nabbed rookies Michael Carter II, Jason Pinnock (both 5th round) and Brandin Echols (6th round). Returning from last year’s team, which struggled mightily against the pass, are Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry, Zane Lewis and Bryce Hall. Former Giant Corey Ballentine rounds out the wide-open competition.
But it appears Saleh doesn’t see anybody on the market who is worth taking reps away from his youngsters.
“I’ve said it before, I think, the difference between player A and player Z in the entire league — I’m not talking about superstars, I’m not talking about the Aaron Donald’s of the world, they’re unique,” Saleh said. “But the difference between player A and player Z is minimal and the only thing that keeps player Z from becoming player A is an opportunity and reps.”
Saleh has made it apparent: He wants to focus on coaching up the young cornerbacks.
“Let’s see what happens. Does it always happen? It doesn’t, but unless you’re willing to be bold enough to coach your tail off and to invest as much as you can into these young men and give them the opportunity to be seen, give them the opportunity to get reps, and give them the opportunity to get better, you’ll never know what you might find,” Saleh said. “So, that’s just the belief and the philosophy of not only our coaching staff but the entire organization and that’s something we’re committed to.”
NEW RIGHT TACKLE?
The Jets appear to be on the verge of upgrading at right tackle.
The Jets and former Washington Football Team offensive tackle Morgan Moses are closing in on a multi-year deal, according to ESPN. The deal isn’t done yet, but the Jets are considered the favorite.
Moses has been a free agent since May 20 after he was released by Washington, where he spent seven years and started 97 games.
Pro Football Focus rated Moses as the NFL’s 18th best tackle last year. He also had a run blocking grade of 84.7, which was seventh-best in 2020.
The Jets have started to build around rookie quarterback Zach Wilson with a receiving corps that features Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and talented rookie Elijah Moore.
But the most important unit for a young quarterback is the offensive line. A group that features Mehki Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Moses will provide plenty of protection for Wilson.