New York Jets: Darryl Roberts Picked As Most Underutilized Player

New York Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts is the most underutilized player on the roster according to Pro Football Focus and Rich Cimini of ESPN’s NFL Nation.

The New York Jets are heading into their bye week with a poor 3-7 record. With the playoffs essentially out of the picture despite being mathematically alive, there could be some changes coming for the Jets on the field. With a veteran-laden team that could be getting a facelift this offseason the coaching staff might as well see what some of the younger players have to offer.

There is no better time to evaluate players than in games, and the Jets have six remaining to do that in. One of the players to keep an eye on going forward is cornerback Darryl Roberts.

Roberts is in his second season out of Marshall. He was a seventh-round pick in 2015 by the New England Patriots and landed with the Jets prior to this regular season. This was the first regular season game action that Roberts has gotten in his career. In six appearances, he has 11 tackles and four passes defended.

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He is a player many people may not recognize but is someone that they should get to know. According to Pro Football Focus and Jets ESPN NFL Nation correspondent Rich Cimini he is the most underutilized player on the roster.

Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Roberts. The stats may surprise you.

"Since Week 5, Roberts has allowed a catch on just 41.2 percent of passes thrown his way, the second-best mark in the league. He hasn’t given up a catch longer than 19 yards and has a pair of pass breakups. With Darrelle Revis declining fast, Roberts could be destined to start."

Those are impressive numbers no matter how you cut it. While it may be early to give Darrelle Revis‘ starting spot to Roberts, playing time should not be a problem to come by. The Jets cannot get much worse in the secondary and might as well see what they have in Roberts. Does he succeed only because he plays a small part in the defense, or is he someone that could be a useful piece going forward?

It is something we should see the remaining six games of the season according to Cimini. He also touches on the subject of Revis, as his future with the Jets is very clouded beyond 2016.

"Roberts has played 67 percent of the defensive snaps over the past three games because of injuries to Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams. Ordinarily, he’s the No. 4 corner. Roberts, claimed on waivers from the Patriots at the end of the preseason, is a favorite of coach Todd Bowles. He won’t crack the starting lineup this season, but he could be an option in 2017. There will be turnover at the position in the offseason, possibly including Revis. That bodes well for Roberts’ future."

Being a player the coaching staff likes is never a bad thing. That should get him some opportunities on its own, as Bowles cannot be happy with how the current group has performed.

The Jets aren’t going to just bench veteran players, but Roberts should definitely see his playing time increase in the coming weeks. He could get a legitimate look as the Jets’ third corner depending on how serious Marcus Williams’ injury. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes Williams will miss multiple games, so this is a time for Roberts to step.

Next: New York Jets Midseason Report Card

It will be a showcase for Roberts as long as Williams is on the sideline. Not only will he be playing for a chance to get on the field once Williams returns, but will also be auditioning for a spot on the roster next season.

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