<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Jets' secondary could benefit from connection to Trumaine Johnson

          Trumaine Johnson, who is likely to hit the open market, could be targeted by the Jets, who are in need of multiple top-flight cornerbacks. Norm Hall/Getty Images
          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 27, 2018, 06:00 AM ET
            Close
              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
            Follow on X

          With free agency approaching (March 14), we're analyzing each position on the New York Jets' roster and examining possible upgrades:

          Position: Secondary

          2018 cap hits of top returnees:

          Pending free agents: CB Morris Claiborne, S Terrence Brooks and S Rontez Miles (restricted).

          Key stat: The Jets have allowed 60 touchdown passes over the past two seasons, with only 19 interceptions. It's the second-worst touchdown-interception ratio, trailing only the Cleveland Browns (64-17). The additions of Adams and Maye were supposed to help their tight end coverage, but the defense allowed nine touchdowns (27th). The overall damage could've been worse, but opponents dropped a league-high 32 passes against the Jets, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          Money matters: Skrine's cap charge ranks 22nd at his position, according to ESPN data -- a bit rich for a No. 2/3 corner. He's entering the final year of his contract and can be released with a net cap savings of $6 million. The Jets shouldn't be quick to make that move because, as of now, he's their best corner under contract.

          Big picture: The Jets are out of the safety market after drafting Adams and Maye last year. Despite some hiccups, they have the potential to be one of the better tandems in the league. They need help on the outside -- lots of help. We're talking about No. 1 and No. 2 corners. This team was so desperate that it traded a fifth-round pick last season for Robinson, a head case who contributed nothing and wound up getting arrested. In 2016, they invested a fourth-round pick in Burris, who hasn't panned out. Truth be told, the Jets haven't drafted a quality corner since Darrelle Revis (2007). Where have you gone, Dee Milliner?

          Free-agent market watch: CB -- Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, Kyle Fuller, E.J. Gaines, Bashaud Breeland, Aaron Colvin and Patrick Robinson; S -- Eric Reid and Lamarcus Joyner.

          Also could become available: CB -- Aqib Talib, Brandon Carr, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Williams Gay.

          The game plan: The Jets would like to re-sign Claiborne, who played reasonably well on a one-year deal, but that won't be good enough. They need another starter. The top free agents are Johnson and Butler, but they'll be costly -- at least $10 million per year. The Jets can afford it, but it'll be interesting to see if general manager Mike Maccagnan goes all-in. He prefers to build through the draft, but the cap money might burn a hole in his pocket. Both players are 28, coming off less-than-impressive seasons.

          After trading for Marcus Peters, the Los Angeles Rams probably will let Johnson hit the market after two straight years on the franchise tag. His Pro Football Focus grade was average (ranked 68th among corners), but he has performed at a high level in the past. Maybe a reunion with Jets secondary coach Dennard Wilson, his former position coach with the Rams, would get him back on track.

          Butler, probably finished with the New England Patriots after his mysterious Super Bowl benching, admitted before the Super Bowl that he played like "s---" in 2017. In fact, he was ranked 92nd out of 119 corners in passer rating when targeted (103.3), per PFF. In 2016, he was 23rd in that category (78.2), so you know the talent is there.