Should the Jets re-sign CB Brian Poole this offseason ? ? ?

[kelly]

here is an argument to be made that cornerback Brian Poole has been the Jets’ best defensive player over the past two seasons. But with him landing on season-ending injured reserve and his contract being up at the end of the season, Poole may not be in the Jets’ future despite a solid 1.5 years with the team.

From a pure numbers perspective, the Jets should try to re-sign Poole in this offseason. He allowed just 32 receptions on 51 targets for 237 yards, one touchdown and a position-leading passer rating of 72.1 in 2019, per Michael Nania. He then allowed just 37.5 passing yards between Weeks 4 and 6 this season. Poole’s 77.1 Pro Football Focus grade through Week 10 also tied for seventh among cornerbacks and he allowed just 35 receptions on 51 targets for 381 yards and only one touchdown.Those are performances Joe Douglas should want out of his nickel cornerback, but he can’t make any long-term decisions on Poole in a vacuum. It’s all a matter of value.Poole re-signed with the Jets on a one-year, $5 million deal this past offseason following his terrific 2019 campaign. That’s a bargain Douglas likely won’t get again this offseason, especially since 31-year-old Chris Harris is three years older than Poole and earned a two-year, $17 million deal with the Chargers. 

How much is a slot cornerback like Poole worth to Douglas? Slot cornerbacks are valuable, but the only valuation that matters is the one Douglas has in his head. That was how he dictated his negotiation strategy during the 2019 offseason and it led to a frugal free agency period that leaves the Jets with a lot of financial flexibility in 2021. Poole will probably want something in the range of what Harris received, but he could ask for as much as Justin Coleman or Bryce Callahan earned in 2019. Coleman got four years, $36 million and Callahan got three years, $21 million. There’s no way Douglas pays that given the number of issues the Jets have across the roster,even with an estimated $81 mill in cap space next offseason.But if a hole is big enough, Douglas may be tempted to fill it with a player he knows and trusts in Poole, and that’s where the next part of the valuation process comes in.

The Jets have almost no veteran presence among their defensive backs after trading Jamal Adams and cutting Pierre Desir. They could start as many as three rookies in the secondary this week – Ashtyn Davis, Bryce Hall and Lamar Jackson – because of injuries. If those rookies overperform the rest of this year, Douglas may not need to invest salary cap in an expensive slot cornerback. But if they falter, Poole would be a simple solution – even it costs a little more. Another thing to consider is the 2021 draft. The Jets own nine picks, including two in the first round and five total in the first three rounds. Douglas could find a rookie he likes with one of his picks and fill out his cornerback depth that way instead of paying for Poole, regardless of how his current players perform.The final issue is Gregg Williams. Poole is a fantastic slot cornerback in Williams’ defense. He proved it in 2019 and again in 2020. Poole was great in Dan Quinn’s defense in Atlanta, too. But that doesn’t mean he’d work in another defense. If Douglas fires the entire coaching staff this offseason, the new staff may not fit Poole’s style of play. There is no use for him to pay up for a good player who can’t perform in whatever defense the Jets play next season.

Until those three questions are answered, Douglas can’t make his decision on Poole. 

>    https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/20/should-new-york-jets-re-sign-brian-poole-2021-nfl-free-agency/

[section314]

Since they will actually be trying to win games next year, wholeheartedly YES.

[JTJet]

Yes. 

We need some veteran talent next year.

[Savage69]

I like Poole also but Harris was a 4 time Pro bowler and All Pro which helped him get that contract..

[Embrace the Suck]

Depends on what he wants. There is an entire offense to be built this year, and every cap dollar will be needed. Offense is everything in this league. Yes, you need a good enough D when the other team also has a good offense, but offense is the key.

[rangerous]

They should try to re-sign Poole. I have no idea what a slot corner goes for but maybe skrines contract should be a guide.

[Drums]

Yes

[riggy001]

Why not resign him now?

[kdels62]

The easy and obvious answer is yes. 

Defense may not be the most valuable thing but you need to field a good one to be a contender. Poole will be the best nickel CB available and we should lock him. Heck we should sign at least 1 more CB besides him.

[kelly]

On 11/21/2020 at 5:30 PM, Drums said:

Yes

agreed !  ?.. he's a Keeper

[peebag]

for a one year contract? Sure.

[kelly]

5 minutes ago, peebag said:

for a one year contract? Sure.

agreed !.. at the right $  ?

 

 

cheers ~ ~