New York Jets: Early starting lineup projections 2018, defense

Defensive Backs

Trumaine Johnson, Morris Claiborne (CB)
Jamal Adams (SS), Marcus Maye (FS)

The jewel of free agent corners this offseason was Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan inked him to a five-year, $72.5 million pact to be New York’s No. 1 corner. The 28-year old Johnson will have a lot of pressure on him in 2018 because he will need to be a shutdown cornerback that will take away one side of the field. He must blanket number one receivers so head coach Todd Bowles can deploy a variety of blitz packages. The Montana product has 18 career interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns.

Claiborne will slide into the No. 2 corner role. That suits him much better. He had an up-and-down campaign last season but when healthy, he is an reliable if unspectacular corner. Buster Skrine can now slide into being a slot and nickel cornerback. That’s his forte.

Adams and Maye had some hiccups during their 2017 rookie seasons but for the most part were pretty impressive. Both were solid in run support. Adams is a fiery leader and hard-hitter but he needs to make vast improvement in covering tight ends down the middle of the field.

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Adams certainly has the ability to do it and he should get better with more experience. Maye recorded a pair of interceptions and ranked right behind Adams in solo tackles with 56 (fourth on the team). That duo should be premier safeties for years to come.

The recent signing of veteran safety J.J. Wilcox was a smart move. He can play both strong and free safety and provides excellent leadership to a young corps.