5 breakout stars to watch for New York Jets in 2020

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Steelers 16-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Brian Poole #34 and Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets celebrate after a turnover on downs as their teams defeats the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-10 at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. CB Brian Poole

He is with his second NFL team and in a relatively short time he’s made quite the impression on his current employer. New York Jets’ cornerback Brian Poole finished sixth on the club with 58 tackles despite missing two games. He also totaled one interception, a forced fumble and five passes defensed in 2019.

While those numbers are hardly awe-inspiring, the fine staff at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) had high regards for his performance this past season as he was ranked in the Top 10 in the league at his position. And current Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas made sure the 27-year-old pro wasn’t going anywhere this year as he inked Poole to a one-year, $1.5 million deal (via Spotrac) just as free agency began on March 18.

The former undrafted free agent from the University of Florida spent his first three seasons in the league with the Atlanta Falcons. With Dan Quinn’s club, he totaled eight takeaways, 19 passes defensed and also appeared in five postseason games. Poole and Jets’ free safety Marcus Maye were college teammates with the Gators (courtesy of Eric Allen) and this past year, the latter made a career-high 20 starts. A second season under coordinator Gregg Williams could add up to bigger things for the four-year pro.

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