FLORHAM PARK, N.J. _ The Jets have made it clear that they are committed to fixing their mess of a defensive backfield.
The Jets selected Florida safety Marcus Maye with the 39th overall pick on Friday night, their second consecutive safety selection to start the draft.
On Thursday night, the Jets made the easy decision to select LSU safety Jamal Adams No. 6 overall after he improbably slid down the draft board. But Friday night's decision in the second round was more complex.
The Jets could have used that pick to take quarterback like Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer, talented but troubled Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, or Ashland tight end Adam Shaheen _ it's not as if the Jets' offense is flush with playmakers.
In a conference call Friday night, Maye admitted he was a little surprised the Jets chose him after selecting Adams on Thursday night. But he's also looking forward to the opportunity to play with Adams.
"He has a lot of talent," Maye said of Adams. "Being out there with a guy like that, he's going to make you great as well."
Maye said he visited with the Jets and liked coach Todd Bowles scheme. He said he's fully healthy after a broken arm caused him to miss the final four games of Florida's season.
Maye views versatility as his greatest strength and said he's comfortable playing both free or strong safety.
The decision to draft Maye is likely a bad sign for both of the safeties remaining on the Jets' roster. Calvin Pryor is coming off a down season in which he struggled, especially in coverage _ the Jets have yet to pick up his fifth-year option, the deadline is next week. Veteran safety Marcus Gilchrist will likely miss the start of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in December.
