Should the Jets make a move for cornerback Delvin Breaux?
This Tuesday marks the date in the NFL calendar where NFL teams are able to sign any CFL players whose contracts have expired.
These days, this deadline is a bit of a non-event because teams north of the border are usually accommodating to players who are seeking an NFL opportunity so will release them from their contract early. However, there is one player who contract is about to expire who has the intention to test the NFL waters and could draw plenty of interest.
Delvin Breaux took a circuitous route to the NFL, playing in the Arena League and then Canada before finally earning a shot with the Saints in 2015 and earning a spot in the rotation ahead of the recently signed former Jet Kyle Wilson.
He started every game in his first season, allowed a completion on less than 50 percent of his targets and ended up in sixth place in the NFL in terms of passes defensed but also gave up a lot of touchdowns and penalties. Nevertheless, it was a promising start in his first NFL season.
Injuries limited him to just six starts in 2016 and then he broke his leg in preseason in 2017, missing the whole year. He tried out for several teams in 2018, but due to his injury history, he struggled to pass a physical and ended up going back to Canada to prove himself. However, he seems to have done that, as he's regarded as the league's top cover cornerback and will be in high demand if no NFL team picks him up. Breaux, who turns 30 in October, is apparently keen to give the NFL one last shot.
The Jets reportedly showed interest in Robert Alford, who recently signed an $8 million per year deal with the Cardinals but Breaux figures to be a much more affordable option.
These are the kinds of players Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan likes to take a flyer on if they come cheap and the team is certainly in the market for depth at the cornerback positions.
There is even a minor connection to the Jets' new coaching staff insofar as inside linebackers coach Joe Vitt was in the same role with the Saints in 2015 and 2016.
Breaux is a big, physical corner with good length and ball skills. He'd most likely figure into the competition for a role on the outside rather than in the slot.
Don't be surprised if the Jets are one of the teams who looks to bring Breaux in for a look.