The Jets have found their new nickel corner.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with former Falcons cornerback Brian Poole. The deal is worth $3.5 million. Poole was not tendered by the Falcons and actually got more than what his tender would’ve been worth.
The 26-year-old slot man is entering his fourth season in the NFL out of the University of Florida. He rejoins his old Florida teammate Marcus Maye in the Jets secondary.
Poole has been an underrated player for the Falcons who made the most of the opportunities he got with them. He’s only started 21 games in three seasons, but he makes a lot of tackles. In Poole’s rookie season, he had 59 tackles, one sack, 10 pass defenses and one interception. The following season Poole recorded 63 tackles, one sack and four pass defenses. Last year, he set a career-high in tackles with 74 to go along with three sacks, six pass defenses and a career-high three interceptions.
With Buster Skrine now with the Bears, Poole will take over his position in the slot. Now that he’s in more of a permanent role with the Jets, he has the ability to be a difference maker in the secondary. Poole is a fantastic blitzer and he can easily fit in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme.
The Jets have now checked off a nickel cornerback on their offseason wish list. However, they still need to add one more cornerback on the outside to replace Morris Claiborne.
