Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) celebrates after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
This story originally appeared on Inside The Birds and was written by Benjamin Paul.
Following the Eagles’ trade for Michael Carter II, is their cornerback situation settled?
On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds”, Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher provided intel on the trade and the updated defensive back room.
Adam Caplan: “You can definitely see if they think Carter’s ready that he will be their nickel at some point. He has to learn the defense, this is not the defense that he played on the Jets…The most likely scenario is if Carter’s ready, he’s the nickel and Coop [Cooper DeJean] moves outside…He was very available, the word around the league was they were trying to move him. Carter was a good player for a while, but last year he started to get his role cut.”
Geoff Mosher: “The Jets have to pick up a good deal of that money…They have a plan, they know what they want to do, now it’s up to Vic (Fangio) to see what he sees in practice…It also gives them the flexibility to be matchup specific against the opponent.”
Caplan: “It’s very possible that DeJean is going to be a corner and move from nickel. Vic loves Coop as a nickel, he’s dynamic, athletic, great slot DB, playing inside covering a tight end, a running back, blitzing, covering a receiver, whatever you want him to do he’s a jack of all trades. But remember, he was a corner in Iowa.”
Mosher: “He was recently asked about it and he reiterated that he felt that Cooper DeJean is too valuable as a slot corner for what they do to simply have move him there and play somebody else. But he also said that they have considered it in the past and found that he’s too valuable…he said they just haven’t found someone who can play the slot that we’re comfortable with moving DeJean outside.”
Mosher: “His role becomes interesting. He has to be activated onto the 53, he is still in the 21-day window…They would think that they want to take a look at him.”
Caplan: “They do. He has just had the worst luck.”
Mosher: “Somebody’s job security is suddenly looking a little shady and you would have to think that somebody is Adoree Jackson.”
Caplan: “What if Quinyon Mitchell gets hurt? Where are they going here? If you cut Adoree Jackson and (Quinyon) Mitchell can’t play, you have Coop on the outside, you really don’t want (Kelee) Ringo out there.”
