NY Jets Post-2021 NFL Draft State of the Roster: Cornerbacks

Blessuan Austin, CB, NY Jets

Blessuan Austin, the former sixth-round pick out of Rutgers, would like to press the reset button on his career. And with the Jets' new staff and crowded defensive backfield, it's fair to wonder if his resurgence attempt will have to take place somewhere else.

2020 was a rough year for Austin. In a season hampered by injuries, Austin finished the year as one of the lowest graded cornerbacks in football (47.4 by PFF).

The truth is that Austin's career has been on the downward trend since the tail end of his rookie season when the Jets coaching staff soured on the former Rutgers standout and benched him. 

Before his struggles, Austin had shown glimpses and great promise. He fell in the 2019 draft because he was coming off two ACL tears.

And for a brief stretch in his rookie year with Gang Green, Austin showed great physicality and competitiveness on the outside at cornerback. It's those traits that give Austin a fighter's chance of rejuvenating his career and fitting into the Jets' new defensive scheme.

However, If you are looking for a bubble candidate who is in jeopardy of not making the team's opening day roster in 2021, look no further than Austin.

He may prematurely be listed on some depth charts as a starter with 16 career starts under his belt,  but his status on the roster is tenuous at best. It's been a while since Austin has blessed the Jets' with the promise he showed back in 2019.