Ranking the top 10 safeties in NY Jets history

2. Erik McMillan, S, NY Jets

Erik McMillan burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1988 and made an immediate impact on the Jets' defense. His ball skills, playmaking ability, and coverage skills were evident as he recorded eight interceptions in his debut season.

His knack for creating turnovers and his consistent presence in the secondary solidify his place among the top safeties in franchise history.

McMillan was another one of the Jets' draft picks, going in the third round of the 1988 NFL draft. His rookie season of 1988 was one for the books, as McMillan tallied eight interceptions in just 13 games, returning two for touchdowns as the starting free safety.

McMillan was rewarded for this dominant season, earning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award as well as making a Pro Bowl.

McMillan wouldn't stop after that season, though, as in the following season, he would also make the Pro Bowl. In that 1989 season, McMillan intercepted six more passes and recovered two fumbles, both of which he returned for touchdowns as well as returning an interception for a touchdown.

McMillan would finish his five seasons with the Jets with 76 games played, including 52 starts, 22 interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and five sacks. More impressively, he also managed to score seven defensive touchdowns, including five interceptions returned for a score.

After leaving the Jets before the 1993 season, McMillan would never again reach his early career levels, as the 1993 season would be his last. In that year, McMillan bounced around the league playing for Cleveland, Kansas City, and Philadelphia that year.

He did not intercept a pass, recover a fumble, record a sack, or score a touchdown, appearing in only 10 games and failing to register a start.