After addressing the offensive side of the ball in the first two rounds with tackle Mekhi Becton and wide receiver Denzel Mims, the Jets went defense in the third round, selecting Cal safety Ashtyn Davis.
Davis, listed at 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, is also a track star who walked on to the Cal football team. Davis also has played some corner in his career, making him a versatile piece for Gregg Williams' defense.
Of course, Jamal Adams' contract situation has been a hot topic of late, and perhaps picking a safety in the third round, 68th overall, will only fan those flames, but the Jets clearly didn't want to pass up on Davis' athleticism.
Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive
The Jets have been absolutely clear that they want Adams to be a "Jet for life" and they plan to start talking to him about a new contract soon. That seemed to tamp down any speculation about their defensive star's long-term future.
And then they went out and drafted a safety in the third round.
That certainly was an interesting move, considering the Jets were theoretically set at safety with Adams and Marcus Maye before they took Cal's Davis with the 68th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The truth, though, is Maye has been hammered by injuries in his career. And most teams need three safeties anyway.
And in the 6-1, 202-pound Davis, the Jets got a potentially great one. Scouts love him for his athletic ability, his instincts and his character. He's got dangerous speed that allows him to keep up with any receiver, and seemingly a nose for the football, too. He's big and versatile enough that some scouts think his best position might be cornerback, which will give defensive coordinator Williams options, if nothing else.
So he'll definitely help the Jets' defensive backfield, which outside of Adams wasn't very good last season. As for whether his arrival means anything for Adams - don't bet on it. The Jets are sincere, according to sources, about keeping Adams around, even if they have to pay him a fortune.
But it doesn't hurt to have another talented safety on the roster, just in case.