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5 players who Jets need to be great in 2020

By Mike Phillips

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looks to pass during the first quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looks to pass during the first quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Pierre Desir #35 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a interception in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Pierre Desir #35 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a interception in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

3. CB Pierre Desir

Another area of the Jets’ roster that was a dumpster fire in 2019 was cornerback. Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts were such a disaster on the outside that both were benched and eventually cut this spring.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams made do with what he had, using rookie Bless Austin as well as youngsters like Arthur Maulet and Nate Hairston to put together a passable unit. Those players weren’t as talented as Johnson and Roberts but they provided a better effort level, leading to more effective play.

The Jets pounced when the Indianapolis Colts cut Pierre Desir over the winter, signing him to a one-year deal. Desir has shown he can be an effective press-man corner but was plagued by hamstring issues for the Colts last year.

New York’s schedule is very difficult this season and loaded with top passers like Patrick Mahomes, Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, and Philip Rivers. Those quarterbacks will rip apart the Jets’ secondary if they get a performance as poor as the ones they got out of Johnson and Roberts last season.

No one is asking Desir to be the second coming of Darrelle Revis, but he needs to be a respectable top corner for the Jets. If Desir does his job it makes it easier for Williams to use his other corners to the best of their ability.

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