NY Jets: 3 cornerbacks to target in the 2021 NFL Draft

ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Jaycee Horn #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts as Israel Mukuamu #24 returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Jaycee Horn #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts as Israel Mukuamu #24 returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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NY Jets (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NY Jets (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

3.  The NY Jets could trade up for Asante Samuel Jr.

Asante Samuel Jr. is slightly undersized and smaller than the other cornerbacks we spoke of, standing at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. But that’s not too concerning.

As we previously spoke about with Jaycee Horn, Samuel is also the son of a former NFLer. Samuel’s father, Asante Samuel, was a four-time Pro Bowler at the cornerback position and two-time Super Bowl champion.

With the same bloodline as someone who was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, the Jets shouldn’t let him pass them by.

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It’s quite possible that Samuel is available with the No. 66 selection, but it’s more likely than not that he won’t. As such, the Jets could consider trading up to make sure that they can select him if they hadn’t already taken a cornerback with the No. 23 or No. 34 picks.

Robert Saleh’s defense will run a 4-3 system and could incorporate a ton of off-man coverage. And that just happens to be one of Samuel’s biggest strengths.

Not only is he great in man coverage, but his competitiveness and ability to defend the run and tackle would make him someone that Saleh would fall in love with.

If the Jets want to improve their defense quickly, the three cornerbacks we just spoke about should be able to make an impact immediately in the NFL.

Now, it’s just a matter of whether or not one of them falls into Joe Douglas’ lap, or if they make a trade to acquire one.

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