[HurricaneJet32]

We all know the Jets need a coverage safety badly. They needed one last year, and it obviously hurt the team. After getting burned by Reggie Nelson, the Jets are left hurting in the defensive backfield. We don't know whether the Jets wanted to sign both Nelson and Landry, but for now they are left with just Landry and Eric Smith back there. In short, the Jets still need a major upgrade with a safety capable of covering the deep middle and sticking with Tight Ends.



They've about exhausted the options in free agency, so the Jets are almost certain to draft a safety, probably early, in this year's draft. Problem is, this draft is pretty weak for safeties, at least at the top. There are, however, some interesting mid-late rounders who could develop into nice players...

Mark Barron - Alabama - 6'-1" 210 - Barron has a solid skill set across the board for a safety prospect. The only thing keeping him from being considered elite is he lacks one standout tool. He isn't a speedster, or a massive enforcer...but, he is plenty fast and plenty big. Barron would be a great fit for the Jets, even with the signing of LaRon Landry, Barron is competent enough to handle the coverage duties of a FS.

Harrison Smith - Notre Dame - 6'-2" 215 - Smith is physically, the picture of the perfect safety. He's a big, tall, strong safety with solid speed. While solid in run support, he has tight hips that limit his coverage ability. He reacts well and takes proper angles though, allowing him to still provide solid zone coverage. The question will be whether he has the man coverage abilities to stick with the Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, and Friends.

Duke Ihenacho - San Jose State - 6'-0" 210 - Duke is an interesting prospect, with a nice combination of size and speed. He is great coming up and supporting the run, and has the athleticism to stick with TE's in coverage. He still needs work on his technique, which can hopefully be cured with better coaching, specifically his footwork and angles. All told, this mid round prospect could turn into quite the steal with a little development.

D'Anton Lynn - Penn State - 6'-0" 206 - You can bet D'Anton, son of Jets RB coach Anthony Lynn will find his way to the Jets roster. A larger corner in college, his average cover skills and decent tackling ability will most likely signal a move to safety at the next level. The Jets have shown a willingness to draft friends and family (see Donovan Warren and Scotty McKnight), and could very well spend a late round pick on Lynn or pick him up as an UDFA.

Tony Dye - UCLA - 5'-11" 210 - Dye came into his senior season on many preseason award watch lists, in the eye of draftniks, and looking to make a big impact taking over the lead in a UCLA secondary that just lost Rahim Moore as a 2nd round pick of the Denver Broncos. However, Dye suffered a pinched nerve in his neck and missed 7 games, than returned and suffered a leg injury in his first half back. He is healthy now, and participated in the NFLPA All-Star game and had a good showing at the UCLA Pro Day. Dye had been a SS for the Bruins and led the team in tackles in 2010, however he has the speed and athleticism to be an interchangeable safety, and was expected to take over the FS role in 2011 following Rahim Moore's departure. All told, in my opinion Tony Dye is a great late round pickup and with the chance for a huge upside.

[Jetsman05]

Forgot my sleeper in Trent Robinson.

Cmon now HJ!

Good stuff buddy.

[Chaos]

On the front page. Good stuff!

[HurricaneJet32]

Jetsman05, on 29 March 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

Forgot my sleeper in Trent Robinson.

Cmon now HJ!

Good stuff buddy.

Yo man put something up about him, I don't really know much about him.

Teach me!!!

[Jetsfan115]

Get Tony Dye!!!!

I don't know anything about him but love the idea of a safety roaming the field with the word "die" on his jersey even if it isn't spelled the same lol

[Jetsfan0099]

Quote

. Mark Barron will be a very good pro safety. He is smart and versatile, and can play deep in the middle or in the box. There is no problem with his ability to play in space. He could also play as a “big” nickel in sub packages. He is fast enough (unofficial 4.55 in the 40-yard dash) and has the tools to be a hybrid-type playmaker. He should go in the middle of the first round

.

That is from NFL.com

I think Landry will be a beast if he can stay healthy, big question though. I think getting a safety mid-round is a must at the least. If they don't get Barron round 1. I see them re-signing Jim Leonhard once he gets healthy.

Right now we only have 2 safeties, Landry and Smith. Still want to upgrade over Smith.

[SecondHandJets]

How come that dude from OSU is not listed? Forgot his name, starts with an M.

[Jetsman05]

HurricaneJet32, on 29 March 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

Yo man put something up about him, I don't really know much about him.

Teach me!!!

I'm going to start doing some of my lower round sleeper write ups this weekend.

Trent Robinson will be the first of them.

Even though it'll be useless. We won't draft any of them, haha.

[HurricaneJet32]

SecondHandJets, on 29 March 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:

How come that dude from OSU is not listed? Forgot his name, starts with an M.

Markelle Martin...I'm just not personally a very big fan of him. These lists are by no means complete, they are usually just prospects I like.

[HarlemHxC814]

Who is the Walter Thomas of 2012? We need someone that can do a flip!

[Smedsthejet]

After signing Landry, we helped shore up the need we had at safety. But we still need an extra body back there (though I'd also like to see Jim Leonhard re-signed once he's recovered from his injury). Safety isn't as desperate a need as it was, but I would be perfectly happy to see us draft Barron round one if he falls to us. Our pass rush is something we have to address though, and if the pick comes down to an OLB or Barron, I'd go with the former. Obviously we don't want to reach, but at #16 you get some flexibility as the board becomes less clear cut.