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New York Jets: Is Dee Milliner On The Roster Bubble

By Kenneth Teape

Aug 4, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) walks out to the field prior to the start of training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) walks out to the field prior to the start of training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets veteran on the roster bubble according to ESPN’s NFL Nation is cornerback Dee Milliner; do you agree with them?

The New York Jets came just short of the postseason in 2015, finishing with a 10-6 record. They were able to spend a ton of money in the offseason, with the secondary being one of the areas that was greatly upgraded.

Last season the Jets added Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine at cornerback and Marcus Gilchrist at safety. With that type of talent added to the roster, it pushed players such as Dee Milliner, Dexter McDougle and Marcus Williams down the depth chart.

Williams ended up leading the Jets in interceptions in 2015 with six, and McDougle worked his way back from an ACL tear in 2014. Milliner barely saw the field, registering only one tackle assist on the season, quickly falling from grace.

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With the Jets selecting Juston Burris in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Jets could make a move with one of the veterans at the cornerback spot. They already decided to not bring back Cromartie, but more moves could be on the horizon at the position.

Over at ESPN, the team experts of NFL Nation each picked a veteran player that are on the roster bubble this season. The Jets’ NFL Nation reporter is Rich Cimini, and his choice for the Jets veteran that may not make it to the 53-man roster was Milliner. Here is his reasoning for the selection.

"The fourth-year cornerback, drafted ninth overall in 2013, has declined steadily in stature, mostly because of injuries. Right now, Milliner projects as the fourth cornerback — at best. If he can’t stay healthy or struggles, the Jets could bite the bullet ($2.1 million in guarantees) and let him go. It’s the final year of his contract; the team declined his fifth-year option."

As Cimin notes, the Jets have already decided that they will not be bringing back Milliner for next season. That gives some insight to their opinion of the first round bust, as they do not see him as a piece of their future going forward.

It is hard to argue against that, as Milliner hasn’t come close to delivering the production you would expect from a top-10 pick. Milliner has appeared in only 21 games in three seasons, playing in only eight the last two seasons. He has recorded only 63 combined tackles and three interceptions during that time, with all three coming in his rookie season.

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Milliner was looked at as a replacement for Revis, but he was never able to live up to those expectations. He is still only 24-years old, but if he is going to realize that potential it looks like it will come with another team, as Milliner looks to be, at best, fourth on the Jets depth chart as Cimini points out.

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