NY Jets 2022 spring depth chart preview: Cornerbacks

In the NY Jets' most recent success (2009-2011), they featured one of the better cornerback duos the NFL has ever seen in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, and while they may not have that again in 2022, they are assembling quite a promising group.

With plenty of young talent, the Jets are likely going to have an up-and-down season from this group, but the superstar potential is there. If the Jets can get to the QB, we are going to see some big-time games from this unit.

The Jets' offense will likely take all of the headlines, given how important Zach Wilson and that young core are to the future of this organization, but if D.J. Reed can lead this group of young studs, they could be just as important.

Most of these young players are unproven at the NFL level, but if the Jets can get any production from this group, they'll be over the moon. So just how are the Jets shaping up and cornerback, and how will they do in 2022?

Depth chart: D.J. Reed, Sauce Gardner, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols

1. What are the pros of the 2022 NY Jets cornerback group?

The Jets have been struggling to put together a cornerback group for years, but with some clever drafting and a great free agent signing in D.J. Reed, the Jets have got a team full of young, hungry athletes ready to make their mark in the NFL.

The Jets have depth, which is key, but for the first time in over a decade, they've got potential superstars at cornerback, and if No. 1 and No. 4 can stay healthy all year round, New York finally has some real difference makers on the outside.

All attention will be on Reed and Gardner, but if either of them is injured, the Jets have the likes of Hall, Echols, and even Javelin Guidry to step up, meaning this is the deepest cornerback group the team has had in a long time.

2. What are the cons of the 2022 NY Jets cornerback group?

While there are plenty of positives for this group, there is one glaring weakness, and that's their overall lack of proven NFL experience, as Reed is the only player to have found significant success at the NFL level.

Sure, Hall, Carter, and Echols have all seen time in the NFL, but none of them have had sustained periods of success, and while Gardner is talented enough to overcome the lack of experience, injuries could dampen this group's potential quite significantly.

For a Jets team that isn't expected to do much, this group will learn a lot in 2022, and next season should be much better for it. But right now, there are genuine concerns over the lack of experience that this squad has heading into the season.

3. Who will be the biggest stud in the 2022 NY Jets cornerback group?

This may come as no surprise, but given his length, confidence, and overall talent at the position, No. 4 overall pick Sauce Gardner is in the perfect spot to be the biggest stud for this unit in the 2022 season.

At Cincinnati, Gardner stood out head and shoulders above any other cornerback in the country, and while he wasn't the first cornerback picked in the draft, he is going to stand up alongside D.J. Reed immediately and lead this young Jets unit.

With so many talented receivers in the NFL, it may be a slow start for Gardner, but a man like this is built for New York. And with all the traits that Antonio Cromartie once had for this Jets unit, Gardner is ready to be a superstar from his rookie campaign in the Big Apple.

4. What are the biggest storylines to watch at OTAs and training camp for the 2022 NY Jets cornerback group?

At this point, we know that D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner will be No. 1 and 2 on the depth chart, and while Gardner's development will be fun to watch, it's the young guys trying to step up around them that will provide the most intriguing story.

Michael Carter II is in pole position to take the slot corner spot to begin the year, but with Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols there too, this is going to be a fun battle to watch all offseason long.

The old saying goes that you can never have too much of a good thing, and this depth allows the Jets to overcome any injury they may sustain throughout the season. For right now, cornerback No. 3 is up for grabs. So who is going to take it?

5. Predictions for the 2022 NY Jets cornerback group?

While there is plenty of hype around this group from Jets fans, and rightfully so, they are still young and learning to play at the NFL level (with the exception of Reed).

Therefore, a slow start may be expected, especially with the talent at wide receiver the Jets play early on in their schedule. But once this group gets used to playing together and gets a feel for the NFL level, this is a potentially scary group.

Both Reed and Gardner have superstar potential, and Michael Carter LL is more than capable of being a solid player in the slot. By season's end, don't be surprised if this group is rated within the top-10 of all cornerback units in the NFL.