Making the case for Jets to draft Obi Melifonwu

The New York Jets need dire help in their defensive secondary as they could use an impact player at safety. With their second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, they should select Obi Melifonwu out of Connecticut.

Last season, the overall defensive secondary of the New York Jets left much to the imagination. They had no cohesion and simply didn’t bring any kind of aggression from stopping tight ends, wide receivers, or even mediocre quarterbacks from carving them up for hundreds of yards through the air. Luckily for them, they have many options to consider heading into the 2017 NFL Draft.

In my latest mock draft, it makes sense for the Jets to select safety Obi Melifonwu out of Connecticut in the second round of this year’s draft. Safety Calvin Pryor looked like he regressed last season and lacks the consistency needed in a strong safety to get the job done. Melinfonwu brings a plethora of speed, defensive instincts, and above all else, would bring much more productivity to the table.

At Connecticut last season, Melinfonwu led the team in tackles with 118. He tackles well and knows to use his high football IQ to disrupt plays with precision. He excels at covering tight ends which as most Jets fans know from 2016, was a major issue for Gang Green. At least with Melinfonwu in the mix, they’ll bolster this aspect of coverage out of their defensive secondary.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Melinfonwu has great size at 6’4″ and 224 pounds, plus he played in all four years at college containing some big receiving targets rather well. If the Jets do land cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the first round of this year’s draft, Melinfonwu would pair up nicely to form a new dynamic duo for the future.

It’s imperative the Jets use their first few picks in this year’s draft to address their defensive secondary as it’s in dire need of talent. Melinfonwu is versatile enough to excel as a safety and possibly even have a successful transition to cornerback in the NFL if that’s the path he’s taking. It’s hard to tell but the overall defensive secondary of the Jets could use a player of Melinfonwu’s caliber.