Rich Cimini: Kyle Wilson’s Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Jim O
The New York Jets have already added two cornerbacks this offseason. On Sunday, Rich Cimini of ESPN New York reported that cornerback Kyle Wilson‘s roster spot could be in jeopardy.
Prior to the 2010 NFL Draft, NFL.com wrote a favorable scouting report of Wilson.
"Wilson is an athletic versatile player that has immediate value giving depth to the secondary as well as contributing as a return specialist. He is aggressive to go after the ball as a coverage defender as well as fielding punts and kicks. Wilson understands angles and how to leverage the ball that may fit best in combination zone schemes. He shows good vision and instincts to find a crease as a punt returner. Wilson lacks great top end speed but shows excellent quickness and hips to be effective as a nickel defender. He is a willing run support player but isn’t physical and needs to improve in this phase of the game. Wilson is a good football player that should contribute in a rookie season and eventually vie for a starting position.”"
He was a good player in coverage at Boise State and there were times when opposing quarterbacks tried to throw the football away from him. This led to him finishing his four-year collegiate career with 159 total tackles, 10.0 of those were for losses, 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks.
The Jets liked him so much that they decided to select the 5 feet 10 inch cornerback with the 29th-overall pick in the draft. NFL.com really liked the Jets’ selection of Wilson.
"The Jets’ loaded defense gets some more star power with addition of Kyle Wilson. The Boise State standout was viewed as the top corner on some boards, and his skills make him an exceptional nickel corner. Additionally, he possesses the requisite grit and toughness that is demanded by the Jets’ coaching staff. For a team that is loaded on defense, the landing of Wilson is a case of the rich getting richer.”"
The Jets’ defense was a big contributing factor in the team advancing to the AFC Championship Game during the 2010 Playoffs. Darrelle Revis, cornerback, was the most well-known player on that defense with his outstanding play making abilities.
It appeared that the Jets wanted to try to add another player to their superb secondary of Revis and Antonio Cromartie to shut down receivers.. Wilson has struggled mightily on the Jets, according to Cimini.
"In four seasons, mostly in the slot, Wilson has played in 2,195 defensive snaps and has made only six impact plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information — three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.”"
A good NFL cornerback is able to make a good amount of impact plays. When a cornerback struggles to make impact plays, it leads to opposing quarterbacks challenging them consistently when they are on the field.
One AFC Scout told Cimini that Wilson makes no plays.
This is clearly not the type of performance the Jets envisioned from Wilson when they selected him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Their acquisition of two cornerbacks this offseason indicates that the Jets are frustrated with Wilson’s poor performances.
The Jets have lost two cornerbacks this offseason when Cromartie signed with the Arizona Cardinals and Isaiah Trufant signed with the Cleveland Browns. They needed to replace those two cornerbacks and they did that when they acquired Dimitri Patterson and Johnny Patrick, according to Cimini.
Cimini is convinced that Wilson is on the hot seat.
Wilson is entering the final year of his contract and the Jets have acquired two cornerbacks already this offseason. They could be considering drafting a cornerback in the upcoming NFL Draft, according to Cimini.
In John Idzik’s general manager tenure with the Jets, 15 months, he has gotten rid of three of former general manager Mike Tannenbaum’s nine first round picks. Those players were Revis, Dustin Keller and Mark Sanchez, according to Cimini.
It is very possible that Wilson could be the next first round pick from Tannenbaum’s tenure that could be gone. If the Jets draft a cornerback in the upcoming draft, then Wilson might have to try to convince Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan and Idzik why he deserves to stay on the team.