New York Jets 2019: Ranking the 53-man roster — No. 19 Arthur Maulet

The New York Jets season is over and it’s time to evaluate the roster. Let’s continue this daily ranking with No. 19, cornerback Arthur Maulet.

The New York Jets’ substandard cornerback unit stabilized midseason with the insertion of rookie Blessuan Austin and NFL afterthought Arthur Maulet. After blowout games featuring overpaid Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts, few green-and-white fans expected such positive results!

Last January, former general manager Mike Maccagnan — in one of his final front office decisions — signed the 2017 UDFA straight outta Memphis University via Copiah-Lincoln Community College. The 25-year-old who served time with the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, inked with Gang Green to a Futures/Reserve contract, with nothing guaranteed.

Maulet overcame eight other cornerbacks in training camp, and made the Jets roster, mostly for his special teams’ abilities. After five weeks running suicide drills on punts and kickoffs — and two weeks on the practice squad — he then mangled his ankle and missed two key games.

After untold injury and ineffectiveness at the position, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams turned to the 5-foot-10, 190 pound versatile defensive back. Maulet would play over 90% of the next seven games’ defensive snaps — during which time the New York Jets went a decisive 6-1.

Maulet’s Week 12 PFF grade ranked an impressive 81.4 — eighth highest among NFL cornerbacks. Overall, in limited duty, he rated a decent 65.2 PFF with 34 solo tackles, one interception, and a fumbled punt returned for a touchdown (against the New England Patriots).

Expect general manager Joe Douglas to do the right thing and bring Maulet back into the fold, in a reserve role. He is relentless ballhawk with serious football acumen. who has shown he can deliver big-time when pressed into field time.

As a 12-year-old, Arthur and his grandfather endured the hell of New Orleans’ Hurricane Katrina bedlam in the Superdome.  This young man has come too far to foresee any lazy letdown.