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New York Jets: 3 Targets with third round pick in 2018 NFL Draft

By Stephen Smith

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 25: Kendall Joseph (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 25: Kendall Joseph (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 29: Scott Orndoff #83 of the Pittsburgh Panthers catches a 6 yard touchdown pass against M.J. Stewart #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the fourth quarter during the game on October 29, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 29: Scott Orndoff #83 of the Pittsburgh Panthers catches a 6 yard touchdown pass against M.J. Stewart #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the fourth quarter during the game on October 29, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina

Morris Claiborne is set as the number two cornerback in New York’s defensive backfield. He is 28 years old though and has been injury prone for most of his career. The Jets need to add some quality depth at this key position. One prospect they should seriously target is North Carolina’s M.J. Stewart.

The 6-0, 200-pounder is a tough, physical press corner that would fit well in Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme. He earned honorable mention All-ACC honors for the Tar Heels for the second straight year in 2017 with 45 tackles (five for loss), two sacks, and 12 passes defensed. He did not have an interception last season but recorded 41 pass defensed and six interceptions in his four-year career at Chapel Hill.

Stewart has good size and length. He’s adept at covering receivers on the outside and in the slot. He is not a burner but he possesses fine recovery burst and is a hard-hitter at the point of contact. Stewart is strong in run support and is an excellent fundamental tackler.

The Arlington, VA product does not have the top-notch speed necessary to cover wide receivers on go and post routes. If they line up on the outside, he needs to keep them in from of him so he can press them, throw them off their route. He may be best suited for nickel and dime packages initially. He’s physical and athletic enough to slid over to the safety position where his run support skills shine. That flexibility should be very appealing to the Jets.

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