The Jets have done a good job addressing needs on both sides of the ball so far this offseason, but cornerback is a position that has fallen by the wayside in free agency.
Joe Douglas has yet to show much interest in any free agent cornerback other than Justin Hardee, who profiles more as a special teams ace than he does a piece in New York’s secondary. Douglas’ approach is understandable considering cornerback is a relatively thin position on the free agent market this offseason and the upcoming 2021 NFL draft features plenty of talented prospects to address the need.
There are still a handful of cornerbacks available for the taking on the open market that can help the Jets next season, though. If Douglas has any designs on signing a cornerback before the draft, here are six he could target.
Richard Sherman
Sherman is on the back-nine of his career at 32 years old, but his affinity for Robert Saleh is well-known. Even if he is not the superstar he used to be, New York could benefit from adding him to the mix considering the personnel it ran out at the position throughout 2020.
If Sherman is more interested in reuniting with Saleh than chasing another Super Bowl ring in 2021, One Jets Drive becomes a realistic destination for the five-time All-Pro. It would certainly be surreal to see him don the Gotham green after his years of beefing with Darrelle Revis.
Steven Nelson
The Steelers did not show Nelson the door due to any sort of struggles on the field. The Oregon State product was nothing but solid in his role for Pittsburgh, making it likely he will have suitors knocking down his door sooner rather than later.
The Jets should be among them.
Nelson’s brief stint with the Steelers was a mostly-productive one, as he recorded 95 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. The 28-year-old also ranked among the best man-to-man cover cornerbacks during his time in the Steel City, according to Pro Football Focus.
Nelson would instantly give New York an upgrade on the outside and vastly improve the current state of its secondary. Not many remaining free agent cornerbacks could have that kind of impact.
Bashaud Breeland
Breeland isn’t exactly the dynamic talent he was expected to be entering the NFL and wouldn’t solve New York’s woes at the position, but he could provide a little bit of assistance.
Breeland wasn’t great for the Chiefs in 2020, but he was far from terrible. This year’s crop of free agent cornerbacks isn’t anything to write home about — especially with the market getting thinner by the day — which could make the 29-year-old an option Douglas and company consider as they work toward improving Gang Green’s biggest defensive weakness.
Nickell Robey-Coleman
Robey-Coleman is coming off an up-and-down 2020 season with the Eagles, but he graded out as one of the better slot cornerbacks in 2019 and could profile as a fit in Saleh’s defense playing that role.
Robey-Coleman is familiar with the AFC East landscape from his days with the Bills and Saleh had the chance to see the 29-year-old work up close when he was with the Rams. If Saleh liked what he saw then, Robey-Coleman could be an option to play the nickel for the Jets next season — especially with K’Waun Williams off the market.
Gareon Conley
The 2020 season was a lost one for Conley, as he battled complications from offseason arthroscopic ankle surgery that ultimately kept him sidelined for the entire season. However, the 25-year-old flashed plenty of potential with the Raiders, which could give the Jets reason to take a flier on his ability to bounce back next season.
It wasn’t too long ago that Conley starred as a rookie with the Raiders. He has been somewhat of a mixed bag of results in coverage ever since, but the Ohio State product has the length and plays with enough physicality to be a potentially disruptive force in Saleh’s defense if he can stay healthy.
Brian Poole
Poole is still available for the taking.
Nickel cornerback free agent options are quickly going off the board. Poole remains among the best available players at the position, even after a 2020 season that was riddled by injuries. Poole might not have any ties to New York’s new coaching staff, but his familiarity with Joe Douglas and the locker room could land him back at One Jets Drive next season.
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March 28, 2021 at 07:02PM
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The 6 best remaining free agent cornerbacks the Jets could target - Jets Wire
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