Jets should target Micah Hyde in free agency

The New York Jets need to add a top safety to their defensive secondary as Micah Hyde would be a solid acquisition in free agency.

Safety Micah Hyde, unrestricted free agent, could find refuge with the New York Jets in the big apple, which would address a serious defensive need. In the case of Hyde, the Jets would not only acquire a buy one and get one free type of player but would also get a one size fits all addition that adds speed, versatility, and flexibility to the defense.

Interestingly, at the beginning of the season, Hyde was a backup waiting to hear his named called. With Packers injuries, Hyde behaved accordingly answering the call and assuming many defensive roles. In a press conference via Packers.com, Joe Whitt Jr., Packers cornerbacks coach, shared his thoughts about Hyde:

“He’s one of our 11 best players… and a guy you want on the field”…He’s rare and perhaps the one guy in the secondary that can play both safeties [free and strong] and if need be, corner. His knowledge of defense and his skill set makes him a hybrid type player.”

Like all great safeties and corners he breaks-up passes, intercepts passes on the goal line, zone-blitzes, and tackles. In an article written by Rob Demovsky for ESPN, here is what Hyde had to say in furthering his case:

"“But if you put all that together, no one’s back there returning punts, returning kickoffs or being the fullback on the punt team.”"

The Green Bay Packer’s defense finished 22^nd overall in 2016. Yet, they made it through a wild card game against the New York Giants and a divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys.

And in three of the last four games of the Packers season, Hyde made key plays that helped lead them to the NFC Championship game. One of which, Cowboys’ fans would love to forget, was the first interception of the game on a third-quarter 2nd & 1 with the Cowboys down 28-13. It was a stinger then. And in hindsight, it’s still stinging.

More from The Jet Press

If the goal of every defense is first to limit the amount of time offenses spend on the field and second to limit the amount of points scored by said offense; then last season the Jets defense were neither defenders nor protectors.

Frankly, the Jets last line of defense last year proved to be no defense at all. They were often inconsistent and even more – despondent.

Free agency officially begins on the new football calendar year, March 9. And since recent cuts, the Jets appear to be repositioning themselves to make meaningful and calculating changes during this offseason.

This means, in the spirit of restructuring and retooling, the designated “Swiss army knife” would make a quality addition to the Jets new defensive roster. Provided the Packers have such lapse in judgment to release Hyde and the Jets have quick reflexes, they can unequivocally prove they’re open for business.

Next: Top 5 most realistic free agent quarterback options for Jets

In 2013, Hyde signed a 4 year, $2,338,108 contract with the Packers. In 2017, the obvious versatility raises his market value. There is a moderate risk but the return is much greater. The hybrid acquisition could cost the Jets somewhere between $4 million and $22.5 million. General manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles would be wise to invest in quality over all else.

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