Jets DB coach jokingly calls cornerback room ‘a bunch of outcasts’

New York Jets DBs coach Dennard Wilson has jokingly referred to his cornerbacks as ‘outcasts,” but it’s a rallying cry for an underdog unit.

There aren’t a lot of well-known names in the Jets cornerback room, but that’s what the unit prides itself on. In fact, New York’s defensive backs coach, Dennard Wilson, jokingly refers to his group as “a bunch of outcasts,” he said earlier this week.

Even if Wilson is technically joking or using that as a motivational tool, his message rings true. Rather than going down the path of paying a premium for a No. 1 cornerback, which has significantly hindered New York in the past, Joe Douglas elected to put together a group of rotational cornerbacks who provide depth for Gang Green.

New York’s cornerback room starts with Pierre Desir, who is already on his fifth team and was a cap casualty after flaming out in Indianapolis. Quincy Wilson, who had become an afterthought with the Colts, was just thrilled to be given an opportunity to prove himself. Like Desir and Wilson, Nate Hairston is another cornerback who fell down Indianapolis’ depth chart. He found himself shipped away for a Day 3 pick last year.

As for Brian Poole, his free agent market never took off, even after he was one of the best nickel corners in the NFL in 2019. Players like Bless Austin and Bryce Hall dealt with lower-body injuries during their senior seasons of collegiate play and subsequently were Day 3 picks.

Then there’s Arthur Maulet. He bounced around between Indianapolis and New Orleans before going back and forth between New York’s active roster and practice squad.

These aren’t names that jump off the page, but they’re certainly ones that embody the culture that Wilson has tried to bring into the cornerback room. These are players that other teams have given up, but the Jets are hoping a group with a collective chip on its shoulder can improve what was a weak position in 2019. Last year, a makeshift unit had to make up for the failures of Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts.

Even without a lockdown No. 1 cornerback, New York is entering another season in Gregg Williams’ system, one that adapts to the strengths of its players. While Douglas may have constructed a positional group of relative no-names, they’re each coming in with something to prove.

2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Cornerback

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s cornerback room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the NFLPA player reps officially approving the NFL’s proposal and training camp just a short ways away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

Cornerback was one of the Jets’ worst units in 2019. Gregg Williams and Dennard Wilson got the most they could out of the team’s ragtag group, but when teams were beating the Jets last season they were doing it through the air. With the addition of Pierre Desir and the re-signing of Brian Poole, New York’s cornerback room should improve in 2020. However, a lot remains uncertain.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s break down the cornerback room at One Jets Drive.

The Starters

The Jets brought in Desir to stabilize the team’s secondary and provide the consistency that neither Trumaine Johnson nor Darryl Roberts could supply during their time in New York.

Desir’s 2019 season was met with a drop in production, as he allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 64.9 percent of their passes with a 96.5 passer rating against him. At the same, Desir brings a veteran presence to the unit, starting 23 games in Indianapolis over the past two seasons. As he returns from a nagging hamstring injury that cost him four games during the 2019 campaign, Desir figures to be Gregg Williams’ go-to cornerback on the outside.

Returning in the slot is Poole, who was one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL last season. In his first season in green and white, Poole recorded 62 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass defenses and a pick-six. Poole allowed the fewest yards per cover snap out of the slot last season, according to Michael Nania. Overall, Poole allowed just 0.526 yards per cover snap, which ranked second-best among cornerbacks, behind only Richard Sherman.

Not only is Poole dependable in coverage, but he also isn’t afraid to stick his nose out at the line of scrimmage. Poole had the second-most tackles for loss (4) among qualified cornerbacks and the third most pressures (11), per Nania.

Depth

The Jets’ No. 2 cornerback spot is up for grabs. Entering his second year in the NFL, Bless Austin has the inside track at starting opposite of Desir, but the additions of Bryce Hall and Quincy Wilson will create competition.

Austin finished his rookie season with 25 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in seven games. He ended the season in Williams’ doghouse after getting beaten for a touchdown in the Jets’ Week 16 win over the Steelers, but he should find himself back into the equation once training camp gets underway.

After suffering a gruesome ankle injury that prematurely ended his senior season at the University of Virginia, Hall is making steady progress as he continues his recovery. He has spent a lot of time soaking up knowledge from Williams, so he’ll be ready when his number is called.

As for Wilson, a change of scenery was much needed for the former second-round pick. The Jets took a flier on him after he fell out of favor in Indianapolis. Standing at 6-foot-2, Wilson has the size, length, ball skills and versatility to make an impact in Gang Green’s secondary.

Among the other players competing to be a depth piece in the secondary are Arthur Maulet, Nate Hairston, Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry and Shyheim Carter.

Outlook

The Jets’ cornerback room leaves a lot to be desired. New York is far removed from having a No. 1 shutdown cornerback but has the capable pieces to keep opposing teams in check, much like the unit did down the stretch last season.

With the position group’s depth decimated by injuries in 2019, the Jets were able to bounce back and finish 17th in the NFL against the pass, allowing 236.2 yards per game. That has a chance to improve in 2020, especially with the new additions.

See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | MLB | OLB | S

And just like that, Trumaine Johnson was gone

Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson didn’t answer any questions about his Jets tenure.

Well aware that his time with the Jets is coming to a close, Trumaine Johnson got out of One Jets Drive in a hurry on Monday. It was odd to see the cornerback moving so quickly.

Jets players spoke to the media one last time this year as they cleaned out their lockers, but Johnson had no interest in reflecting on his miserable tenure in New York. Instead, he wished every one a happy holiday and reminded them about his upcoming birthday.

“Happy New Years,” Johnson said. “My birthday is January 1.”

While not official yet, Johnson will not be returning to the Jets next season with his contract out of guaranteed money. If the Jets cut him before the third day of the new league year, they will save $3 million against the cap, but they’ll endure $12 million in dead money.

The 29-year-old cornerback was signed to a five-year, $72.5 million deal in 2018 by former general manager Mike Maccagnan. It ended up being one of the worst contracts in Jets history. Johnson couldn’t stay on the field because of injuries, faced team discipline and was downright atrocious when on the field.

In 17 games, Johnson had 57 total tackles, seven pass defenses, five interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Johnson also had behavioral issues in his two years with the Jets. At the end of the 2018 season, Johnson was benched in the season finale by Todd Bowles for violating team rules.

With Johnson’s exit coming, the Jets will be in the market for a new cornerback. New York’s cornerback depth was pushed to its limit with injuries to both Johnson and Darryl Roberts and it showed all season. Bless Austin and Arthur Maulet filled in admirably, but New York needs to upgrade the position this offseason.