2017 NFL Draft: New York Jets final grade
Marcus Maye
Safety, Florida
It is going to be very interesting to see how the Jets handle the use of both Maye and Adams. Both are combination safeties, but neither really has a great over the top presence in the deep thirds. While Adams is the most precise tackler, Maye is not far behind. Maye also brings great leadership qualities. Florida had two first round picks last season and both pointed to Maye as the general of their unit. In fact, Adams and Maye both have very similar strengths and weaknesses across the board.
By definition, Maye will likely play free safety and Adams will be a strong safety. However, expect them to play a lot of two-deep, and switch up which of the two plays closer to the line of scrimmage on each play.
What this means most is that Calvin Pryor is on his way out. The Jets are hoping for two starters here. Pryor is not an over the top defender either, and no longer fits into the idea of any scheme past this season. He was a first round pick in a different scheme and will hope to find a new job elsewhere.
This was one of the deeper, more talented secondary pools, so the Jets decided to completely revamp their secondary with a brand new safety tandem. Some may question the outside-in build, but with Mo Wilkerson and Leonard Williams entrenched in the roster among others, it may not be a bad strategy.