New York Jets: Morris Claiborne has been all the team has asked for and more

Morris  Claiborne has been everything the New York Jets have needed and more at cornerback so far in 2017.

Entering 2017 the New York Jets were looking for someone to replace Darrelle Revis. Not the one that played in 2016, the one that thrilled Jets fans for years with big interceptions and shut down performances. For a while, it seemed like they were going to go with a whole bunch of players with very little experience. Then, in walks Morris Claiborne.

Claiborne signed a one-year, $5 million contract to join the Jets as a free agent (via Spotrac). In 2012, he was selected by the Cowboys with the sixth overall pick and high expectations. However, his career has been muted in large part due to injuries. Claiborne has flashed but has been unable to sustain it. Take a look at this overall grades from Pro Football Focus from his first five seasons:

• 2012: 74.9
• 2013: 43.4
• 2014: 36.7
• 2015: 37.1
• 2016: 84

This is a guy who has performed well when he has been able to stay on the field. However, with just 18 games played over the last two seasons it was easy to question this move. Would Claiborne even be on the field long enough to make a difference? How big of a difference would it really be?

More from Empire Writes Back

• Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
• Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
• Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
• PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
• Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!

So far so good for the Jets and for Claiborne. It doesn’t always have to be things that show up on the stat sheet. He hasn’t posted an interception yet and has only been credited with two passes defended.

But what he has been is stout against the run. Per Pro Football Focus, Claiborne is tied for eighth best in the league at his position against the run with a grade of 85.3.

Against the pass, we have to take a look at some more advanced statistics to get a full grasp on Claiborne’s value. Maybe this is why he hasn’t recorded an interception yet:

That’s right, Claiborne gives up a reception once in every 22.8 passes that he is in coverage on.

Next: Jets Week four report card

Even if you aren’t as familiar with Claiborne, everyone is familiar with Patrick Peterson. Anytime a player is mentioned in the same graphic is Peterson, they are doing a good job. Claiborne is preventing completions at almost as high of a rate as Peterson. That, my friends, is $5 million well spent. If he can play all 16 games.