When the Jets drafted Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams in 2017, they took two safeties who had the potential to anchor the secondary for years to come.
As rookies Adams excelled playing in the box, while Maye dominated in coverage. Since then, Adams has become one of the better all-around safeties in the NFL, while Maye has failed to catch up due to injuries.
In Gregg Williams’ defense, it is expected that the two safeties will play similar roles and not be designated as a free or strong safety. Williams wants to make it so that Maye and Adams are able to play both safety positions and the Jets don’t miss a beat.
“We’re doing a lot with both safeties,” Maye told Jets team reporter Ethan Greenberg. It’s not just in the box and the back. We’re both interchangeable. So it’s exciting, I’m anxious to get out there and see what I can do.”
The Jets are asking a lot from both safeties in this new defense. However, they’re both up for the task, even though Maye described Williams as an “angry grandfather.”
Last season was frustrating for Maye, playing in only six games after starting all 16 as a rookie due to an assortment of injuries. However, with a clean bill of health heading into 2019, Maye will likely return to form.
