Round Two: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
For the first of two second round picks, the Jets went with a cornerback in this scenario.
"Oliver has great size (6’1, 190 lb.) and length to go along with good speed. He uses his length to jam receivers at the line and has good recovery speed if he gets beaten on deep routes. He could improve his coverage technique, sometimes allowing too much separation, but has a ton of potential. Oliver also plays the ball well, ripping it out of receivers’ hands."
There is no doubt that the Jets need help here. Other than Morris Claiborne, the cornerbacks left a lot to be desired in 2017. Improving on the outside will allow Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye to improve as well. Their weaknesses were exposed last year. Some of that was because they were rookies, but part is because they had to accommodate for mistakes made on the outside. Improving that position will improve the safety position by default.
It’s refreshing to see a young cornerback that plays with his hands within the first five yards. Press coverage is the order of the day in the NFL but we don’t see many college kids learning how to play that way. Oliver does it and he does it well. He uses his hands to throw the receiver off of his route as much as he can. That is a trait that will translate well to the NFL.
However he doesn’t seem aggressive in run stopping. He needs to stick his nose on that football with the same zeal that he does when a pass is coming his way. Especially in New York, a lack of a motor will stick out like a sore thumb. Ask Darrelle Revis for any proof that you need.
It’s hard to argue with making a choice at this position. However I would more likely go offensive line with the first of the two second round picks. The line was so bad that it needs resurrection even faster than the defensive backfield does. That being said, it wouldn’t be wrong to select a cornerback here. Just because my priority is different doesn’t mean that Sean’s draft is “wrong”.