NFL Preview: Breaking down the 2015 New York Jets
By Andrew Garda
Secondary
Starters: Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus Gilchrist, Calvin Pryor
Depth: Buster Skrine, Dee Milliner, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Antonio Allen, Marcus Williams, Darrin Walls, Rontez Miles, Dexter McDougle, Curtis Brown, Keith Lewis, Dashaun Phillips, Durell Eskridge [R]
The Jets’ secondary wasn’t good last season – apologists keep saying it was, despite all evidence – but it also wasn’t as bad as people thought. Or at least it bounced back near the end.
You can’t say it was the strength it had been in years past, whether because of poor planning or injury. The Jets’ new front office did what fans wanted the old one to do and attacked the position group via free agency with a vengeance.
Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are back, and even if Cro is older (and less effective) or Revis not quite as great as he was in his first tour of duty, they are both still huge upgrades over last season’s starters. Especially Revis, who made Jets fans wince each week as he helped New England win a Super Bowl ring.
Without a doubt, in a division and conference with some very good receivers, Revis is a huge help to this defense. Cromartie will help hold down the other spot as well, and Buster Skrine will step in as a third corner in several formations – with the upside that he can take over for Cromartie should his play fall off either now or in the future.
Last year the safety play was hit or miss for the Jets, and adding Marcus Gilchrist from San Diego should help that. He replaces Dawan Landry at strong safety, and while he’s not a tremendous playmaker, he is consistent and will solidify the position. He can also help Calvin Pryor, in that his presence allows Pryor to be more of a downhill safety – to hit guys coming across the middle and attack players in the box. Pryor had to cover too much last year – this season he should be free to hammer at offensive players instead of cover them. The Jets can easily swap Gilchrist and Pryor, which might fit Pryor even more depending on how Bowles forms his secondary.
The depth starts with former first rounder Dee Milliner, a guy who has slowly made strides and could now look better without having the pressure of being “the man.” Coming off an Achilles’ injury, Milliner may even start the season on the PUP/reserve list.
Antonio Allen briefly tried his hand at cornerback last season with less-than-optimal results, so he’ll be back at safety this year.
The team tried unsuccessfully to move Allen to cornerback last year, but his size and cover skills could make him better suited to more of a big nickel role. Jaiquawn Jarrett plays a big role on special teams, and played well in the five starts he made for the Jets last season. Darrin Walls will also go back to being a backup, a role he might fit better than starter. He had moments last season, but with Revis, Skrine and Cromartie in the house, the team isn’t as desperate as they were one year ago.
Dexter McDougle was a Rex Ryan project – the team drafted him in the third round with a bum shoulder, then lost him for the season with a torn ACL – so how much rope he’ll get from the new regime is a mystery. He has been working the slot when Skrine is off the field, so that’s a strong sign, but an undersized player with injury red flags has very little room for mistakes.
Rontez Miles and Curtis Brown are special teams guys, while Keith Lewis is just trying to make his mark and stick on the roster. Without special teams skills though, it’s not likely. Rookie Durell Eskridge may be the guy near the bottom of the chart who can stick around. He’s an able and willing tackler, though nothing special in coverage. The Jets will probably give him a year or so to see if he can develop the right instincts since having a safety who likes to hit is never a bad thing.
Much like the defensive line, the secondary is largely a strength. The Jets put special emphasis on it this offseason, and given how the offenses they will face have worked to improve, getting quality players – especially Revis – in the fold is huge for a defense expected to be very good.