The Breakdown

Much like the QB Position, the Jets get a redux on what this position group should’ve looked like last year, before a training camp ACL injury took Chuck Clark out for the season.

With future contract uncertainty around both DJ Reed and Michael Carter II, this is likely the final season we see these 3 corners as a collective. In their previous two seasons together, they’ve been arguably the best unit across the NFL, along with enjoying relatively good health. Sauce’s emergence as the top dawg at Corner will be costly in the future, but the high trust at this position allows for flexibility and freedom in scheme. Will we see Sauce follow premier WRs this year? The next step for this group is to improve their hands and close on takeaways.

At Safety, Tony Adams is primed for a jump forward after a bit of a sophomore slump in 2023. He embodies many great characteristics you want at the position; coachability, versatility, toughness [remember when his finger bone was sticking out of his glove and he played the next week?] As for Chuck Clark, we haven’t seen him in a Jet uniform. Will the ACL injury impact his form? His star was on the rise in Baltimore before arriving in Florham Park, and we’ve seen that story before. The delta between what he can provide and Jordan Whitehead will be critical for the secondary.

The depth with this group is encouraging. We have a veteran in Brandin Echols who’s logged significant starting time in the NFL, Ashtyn Davis coming off an encouraging ball-hawking 2023 campaign, everyone’s favorite draft pick story in Qwan’tez Stiggers, JBC coming off a very encouraging pre-season, and a versatile safety in Isiah Oliver. A lot to feel good about here, should any of these guys be pressed into significant time. Could they have added a veteran safety? Yes, but clearly the defensive staff feels good about what’s in the cupboard.

The Prediction

Sauce has another All-Pro campaign and figures out how to turn some of those PBU’s into INT’s. He takes not one, but TWO for house calls in 2024. DJ Reed regresses a bit in his final year with the team, but Michael Carter II makes a Pro Bowl and signs an extension with the Jets in the early part of the season. The safety group is serviceable; Tony Adams emerges as a leader, and Chuck Clark’s presence is felt in the run game.