NY Jets: One major storyline on defense heading into the 2020 season

The NY Jets’ cornerback group is vital to the success of the defense in 2020.

With the season now under three weeks away, it’s appropriate to take a look at how the NY Jets will be stacking up defensively against some of the better offensive units around the league.

Years have passed, and the cornerback position hasn’t lived up to what it once was during the Darrelle Revis/Antonio Cromartie era. Now, by no means can anyone expect the dominance those two brought to the field each and every Sunday.

But, it’s the inconsistencies at one of the most important positions on the defensive side of the football that would drive a coach like Gregg Williams mad.

The lineup has stayed relatively intact through free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft. Although, with players such as Trumaine Johnson (I regret mentioning) and Darryl Roberts (again, sorry) being shown the door, the 2020 Week 1 depth chart will look unlike 2019’s.

The NY Jets’ cornerback depth chart will look a little different in 2020.

As it currently stands, Pierre Desir, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, currently doesn’t have a timetable for his return. But the former Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback is slated to start at the No. 1 spot.

With Blessuan Austin, the former sixth-round pick out of Rutgers, impressing in camp thus far, it seems as though he has a strong grasp on securing a spot across from Desir.

The Jets re-signed Brian Poole to regain his slot cornerback role without much competition on that end. Poole has also been confined to the team hotel due to dehydration that has prohibited him from participating since the beginning of training camp.

The Jets also have the likes of Arthur Maulet, Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, Lamar Jackson (rookie), Javelin Guidry (rookie), and Bryce Hall (Reserve/COVID-19/rookie) all vying for roles on the roster.

The team isn’t in an unpleasant spot when it comes to this group. Many one One Jets Drive love the potential and versatility of Austin, and think he can be a long-time solution for a team that has struggled to find continuity at a position that is one of the most essential to defensive success.

Time will tell how this squad comes along from being undermined and criticized, to potentially overlooked.