Buzz: Cornerback EJ Gaines to work out for Jets

With the addition of Trumaine Johnson and the re-signing of Morris Claiborne, it looked like the Jets were set at the cornerback position. Perhaps not.

Take 2 (had the days flipped, my bad)



CB EJ Gaines visiting the Jets today and has a visit with the Browns lined up for tomorrow, source says. This after his meeting with the Cardinals last week.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 22, 2018

The immediate thought with Gaines potentially coming aboard is that the team might view him as an option to play the slot nickel role. That would make Buster Skrine expendable and many beat writers are suggesting he could be a cap casualty. However, maybe the Jets have a chance to trade Skrine, either to move up in the draft, acquire more picks or so they can acquire another veteran without having to surrender further picks after this weekend's trade-up.

Gaines was one of about 60 cornerbacks to play in the slot more than 25% of the time in his rookie year and was in the top ten in terms of having the lowest passer rating when targeted. However, he's played in the slot a lot less since then.

Last year, he was almost exclusively a boundary cornerback with the Bills. In fact, Trumaine Johnson played more in the slot (over 100 snaps) as he generally tracked the other team's number one.