What the Jets are getting in 6th-round pick Blessuan Austin

New York Jets (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
New York Jets (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Get to know the New York Jets’ final pick from the 2019 NFL draft, Rutgers cornerback Blessuan Austin.

Heading into this year’s draft, the Jets had a clear need for help at cornerback, and many expected them to address the position sooner than the sixth round. Still, the team landed a promising prospect in Austin, who has the size and physical tools to make an immediate impact on special teams, while potentially developing into something more down the road.

Austin measured in at 6-1, 198 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, showing off the height and length that made him an effective cover man for the Scarlet Knights. But his talent was never in question.

The biggest reason Austin was still available in the later rounds of this year’s draft? Injuries.

Austin suffered multiple knee injuries during his college career, which kept him from living up to his full potential. When healthy, Austin showed impressive athleticism, instincts and ball skills, no doubt the traits that led the Jets to take a chance on him in the sixth round.

With a fairly weak depth chart at the corner spot, Austin should have a fantastic chance of making the roster and pushing for quality playing time as a rookie. But that’s only if he’s able to avoid the durability issues that plagued him at the college level.

If he’s able to stay healthy and maximize his talent, Austin could make a significant impact and easily end up being a fantastic value pick for the Jets down the road.

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