It’s solely June, so Jets head coach Aaron Glenn doesn’t must make any snap selections relating to his depth chart simply but, however when that point does come, anticipate rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds to make Glenn’s life troublesome in one of the simplest ways attainable.
Brandon Stephens is locked in to begin at one of many two nook spots given his hefty wage, so Ponds must be battling the likes of Nahshon Wright, Azareye’h Thomas, and Qwan’tez Stiggers on the skin.
Based mostly on what we’ve seen from Ponds to this point, it’s a battle he seems to be greater than able to successful.
All through OTAs and minicamp, Ponds has constantly stood out for his competitiveness and confidence. Regardless of being one of many smallest defensive backs on the sphere, he hasn’t appeared overmatched and has proven the identical aggressive model that made him one of many prime corners on this yr’s draft class.
A number of observers have famous Ponds lining up all around the secondary, and whereas the Jets will definitely use that versatility to their benefit, it will be a shock in the event that they don’t at the least give him a possibility to compete for important snaps on the skin as soon as coaching camp will get underway.
In fact, there are nonetheless loads of inquiries to reply. Pads haven’t come on but, preseason video games haven’t been performed, and veteran quarterbacks haven’t spent weeks game-planning to reveal rookie errors. However when evaluating younger gamers this time of yr, coaches are searching for traits, confidence, and consistency. Ponds has checked every of these packing containers.
The Jets entered the offseason searching for solutions at cornerback following the departure of Sauce Gardner. Whereas Stephens was introduced in to assist stabilize the place, the long-term answer could already be on the roster.
If D’Angelo Ponds continues to construct on a powerful spring when coaching camp opens subsequent month, Aaron Glenn could uncover that the rookie isn’t merely competing for a job within the nickel bundle. He could also be forcing his manner into the dialog as one of many Jets’ greatest three corners, no matter the place he strains up.
Glenn was Born within the Bronx, New York and has adopted the Jets religiously regardless of being stationed in a number of completely different nations and time zones all over the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed inexperienced with the remainder of us by the highs and lows.
