There is no question that the Jets need to add a cornerback or two in the upcoming 2020 NFL draft.
Joe Douglas did a nice job addressing the position in free agency by bringing back Brian Poole and inking Pierre Desir to a one-year deal. However, even with Poole back in the fold and Desir’s arrival, New York still needs additional cornerback depth. Past Poole and Desir, the Jets’ cornerback room is littered with inexperienced and unproven players.
New York is unlikely to address cornerback early in the draft, making the later rounds the ideal time for Douglas to sure up the position. Who are some potential late-round targets the Jets could have their eyes on? Let’s take a look.
Reggie Robinson, Tulsa
Considering the Jets’ defensive scheme, Robinson’s skill set makes him an ideal late-round cornerback target.
At 6-foot-1, Robinson has the speed, length and athleticism to play in Gregg Williams’ defense. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine and has a knack for being disruptive in the secondary, as he recorded four interceptions and four pass breakups in his senior year.
Robinson’s not a finished product, but he has the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback. Considering that is exactly what the Jets need, they would be foolish to pass on him if he is still on the board in the later rounds.
Stanford Samuels III, Florida State
Samuels finished his career at Florida State on a high note, racking up 118 tackles, six interceptions and 18 pass breakups over his final two seasons with the Seminoles.
Will Samuels’ production at Florida State translate to the NFL? His skillset indicates that it will. Samuels is not the fastest cornerback in the world (4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine), but has the physicality and technique to be a success at the next level in a man-heavy scheme like New York’s.
L’Jarius Sneed, Louisiana Tech
Sneed was one of the best cornerbacks in Conference USA last season, totaling 73 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions in his final season at Louisiana Tech.
Sneed helped himself with a 4.37 40-yard dash time at the NFL draft combine. While his ball skills and coverage technique could still use some work, Sneed has the speed to run with receivers at the next level.
A good defensive backs coach is all it’s going to take to turn Sneed into a finished product. The Jets have themselves a solid one in Dennard Wilson, making the Louisiana Tech product a potential late-round target for New York.
Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
He’s not quite as dynamic of an athlete as the most recent player with his namesake to enter the NFL, but Jackson is a decent bet to contribute in the secondary in some capacity at the next level.
At 6-foot-2, Jackson has some impressive length to him. He’s not too good in run support and his coverage skills need some improving, but that is nothing an NFL coaching staff can’t fix if the talent is there.
Odds are Jackson won’t develop into an elite ballhawk or playmaker at cornerback, but he could become good enough to carve out a substantial role in someone’s secondary. It might be worth the Jets’ while to find out if Jackson can accomplish that in the Big Apple.
