This is the eighth in a nine-part series examining the Jets’ needs position by position with free agency starting on Tuesday.
Defensive backs
Antonio Cromartie
Age: 29
2013 stats: 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Dee Milliner
Age: 22
2013 stats: 56 tackles, 3 interceptions
Dawan Landry
Age: 31
2013 stats: 100 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack
Ed Reed
Age: 35
2013 stats: 38 tackles, 3 interceptions
Kyle Wilson
Age: 26
2013 stats: 26 tackles
Antonio Allen
Age: 25
2013 stats: 63 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack
Jaiquawn Jarrett
Age: 24
2013 stats: 25 tackles, 1 sack
Darrin Walls
Age: 25
2013 stats: 21 tackles
Josh Bush
Age: 25
2013 stats: 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Ellis Lankster
Age: 26
2013 stats: 18 tackles
Isaiah Trufant
Age: 31
2013 stats: 20 tackles
Johnny Patrick
Age: 25
2013 stats: 38 tackles, 1 interception, 1 ½ sacks, 1 forced fumble
Rontez Miles
Age: 25
2013 stats: N/A
Aaron Berry
Age: 25
2013 stats: N/A
Ras-I Dowling
Age: 25
2013 stats: N/A
Brandon Hardin
Age: 24
2013 stats: N/A
Lowell Rose
Age: 23
2013 stats: N/A
Nick Taylor
Age: 25
2013 stats: N/A
2014 free agents: Reed, Berry, Trufant (restricted)
Overview: It was an ugly 2013 for this unit that had been a strength of the team under Rex Ryan. Teams repeatedly threw deep on the Jets, and they did not seem to have an answer for it.
Cromartie’s play dropped off dramatically. He had a hip injury that started in the preseason and lasted all year long. It’s hard to define how much his struggles were a result of the hip or just diminished skills.
Milliner, the No. 9 overall pick, had a rough rookie season. He was benched three times and could not seem to earn the coaches’ trust. A strong final month encouraged the Jets, and they believe he will make huge strides this year with a full offseason program. He missed last year’s after shoulder surgery.
Safety was an interesting position. Landry was steady and always on the field, but he did not make many big plays. Allen seemed to be coming along, making one of the biggest plays of the season with a pick-six against Tom Brady, but then the team signed Reed. After that, Allen’s playing time was slashed.
Reed played way too much when he was first signed, but got better when they began playing him only in the sub package.
Offseason priority rating (1 to 5 with 5 being the highest priority): 4
Possible targets: Jairus Byrd, Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib, Alterraun Verner, Vontae Davis, mid-round or late-round depth picks
Costello’s call: The biggest decision revolves around Cromartie. He carries a $15 million cap hit. There is no way the Jets will keep him at that price. If I were the Jets, I would try to bring him back at a lower price, somewhere around $6 million and tack on a year or two to his contract.
If the Jets decide Cromartie is done, they could dive into the free-agent market. There are a ton of good cornerbacks out there. Talib would be a fascinating signing, but he may be too pricey for the Jets. Verner had a great game against the Jets last year, something that surely will be in the back of Ryan’s mind.
At safety, Byrd looks too good to pass up. He is going to be looking for $10 million a year or more, a hefty price tag for a safety. But if I’m the Jets, I do it. They have the cap space. Make him your big signing. He is a game-changing safety that forces turnovers, something the Jets don’t have. He is a younger version of Reed.
Coming Monday: Special Teams