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In last year's draft, the Jets used their first two picks on safeties, and Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye started every game alongside one another in the secondary. Those starting roles seem settled for the next few years, but the Jets like to operate out of packages with three and even four safeties, so Todd Bowles may be keen to add some depth.
Last year, Rontez Miles and Terrance Brooks each saw regular playing time, often playing together as the Jets used a four-safety dime package in passing situations. Also, Doug Middleton, who missed the season due to injury, was expected to contribute. All three are now out of contract though, so the Jets may look to fortify their depth in the draft.
While it seems unlikely the Jets would select another safety with their top pick, Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick is a possible consideration due to his versatility. Could Fitzpatrick be like Jalen Ramsey -- a hybrid cornerback/safety who has developed into one of the league's better cornerbacks?
If the Jets were going to draft Fitzpatrick and put him in a full-time role with Adams and Maye, he'd need to be able to play as an outside cornerback in base packages. He did do this at times in college, but primarily played safety last season. By contrast, Ramsey mostly played as a cornerback in his final season.
The other top prospect in this year's draft is Florida State's Derwin James. James also has good versatility but isn't a viable option at cornerback so doesn't seem like a fit for the Jets.
Other top safety prospects that could go in the first two days include Fitzpatrick's teammate, Ronnie Harrison, Stanford's Justin Reid, and Armani Watts from Texas A&M. The Jets probably won't be in the mix for any of these players unless they drop to day three.
Harrison has good size and showed some good playmaking abilities, with 2.5 sacks and three interceptions in 2017. Both he and Watts are said to struggle in man coverage situations, though. Reid -- the brother of former pro bowler Eric Reid -- has a good all-round skill-set.
Four players who could be good value in the mid-rounds are South Alabama's Jeremy Reaves, Virginia's Quin Blanding, Deshon Elliott from Texas, and West Virginia's Kyzir White.
Reaves boosted his stock with a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, making plays in coverage and against the run. He has good range and was productive in his senior year with over 100 tackles. Reaves also had eight career interceptions during his college career.
Blanding is another player who impresses with his all-around play. While he's perhaps not the most athletic safety in this year's draft, he was extremely productive during his college career and is a solid tackler with good instincts.
Elliott showcased his playmaking abilities by intercepting six passes last season, although the book on him is that this was more due to him being in the right place at the right time rather than his coverage skills.
White is a player who regularly matched up in the slot in college. He's also a good hitter. White is an excellent special teams contributor who was into double figures for tackles in kick coverage last year.
Terrell Edmunds from Virginia Tech was outshined by his brother Tremaine this year but is another player who could be good value if he drops to day three. He could be a candidate to transition into a hybrid linebacker/safety role at the next level.
Finally, a potential sleeper that might be available as an undrafted free agent is Dallin Leavitt from Utah State. Leavitt has good leadership abilities and had a solid year against the run. He also displays good potential as a deep safety in center field and will contribute on special teams, although he might be viewed as too small for a full-time role.
While it seems unlikely the Jets will use an early pick on a safety, there's a good chance they'll need to add to their ranks this offseason, so the possibility of using at least one day three pick on a safety is high. They may look to re-sign some of their pending free agents or address the need in free agency first, though.
