The Jets and free-agent defensive back Lamarcus Joyner agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday, sources confirmed. The deal is worth up to $4.5 million. The specifics of the contract aren’t yet known and won’t be until the deal is submitted into the NFLPA’s database. When that happens, be sure to check here for a complete breakdown of the contract.
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What should you know about Joyner? What role will he play in the Jets’ defense?
Here’s the breakdown.
How he fits: Joyner, 30, was originally a second-round pick by the Rams in 2014. At 5-8 and 191 pounds, he never had the size to consistently play outside. So, early in his career, he rotated between nickel, wide corner, free safety, strong safety and in the box. Basically, the Rams put him all over the field and let his athleticism shine.
In 2017, the Rams played Joyner at free safety more than ever. He saw 510 of his 760 defensive snaps there, with another 135 at nickel and 98 in the box. Joyner finished the season with 49 tackles, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and three interceptions. He had a career-high Pro Football Focus grade of 90.9; opponents had an incredible 27.4 passer rating when throwing his way.
In 2018, Joyner again played predominantly free safety (77 percent of snaps) and finished with 78 tackles (career high), three for a loss, three pass breakups and one interception. He had a PFF grade of 73.1.
The Rams chose not to re-sign Joyner after the year and he made his way to Oakland on a four-year, $42 million contract. Despite his success at free safety in L.A., Joyner played almost exclusively nickel corner in 2019 (86 percent of snaps) and 2020 (85 percent). He had the two lowest PFF grades of his career at 47.5 and 53.8.
It’s a bit puzzling as to why the Raiders, knowing Joyner’s past success at free safety and struggles at nickel, never moved him back to free safety. Joyner had 115 tackles, zero sacks, eight pass breakups and zero interceptions in his 28-game Raiders career.
2021 impact: Joyner will play safety with the Jets. That’s why he signed with them. Where he fills in on defense is an interesting one, though.
The Jets already have Marcus Maye, whom they franchise tagged. While Maye hasn’t signed the tag, and prefers a long-term extension, he’s in the Jets’ plans. He, like Joyner, is also a free safety. The Jets tried him at strong last year before abandoning it and moving him back deep. Douglas also drafted Ashtyn Davis in the third round last year. He struggled some as a rookie, but the Jets love his potential. He’s wildly athletic with the ability to play nickel, linebacker, free and strong safety.
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The Jets didn’t give Joyner almost $5 million to ride the bench. He’s going to see the field. Robert Saleh’s defense is predominantly a two-deep zone. So the signing of Joyner might be a sign the Jets prefer two free safeties to a free and strong. Basically, they want guys who can cover ground. Saleh deployed some, but not many, three-safety looks in San Francisco. That could have been for personnel reasons. If the Jets have Maye and Joyner deep, Saleh can use Davis as a roaming hybrid linebacker/safety. This would allow the 24-year-old’s athleticism to shine.
It’s tough to tell Saleh’s plans until the Jets get on the field, but if nothing else, he and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich now have options.
Draft impact: It seems unlikely the Jets invest any premium capital in a safety. They took Davis in the third round last year, and franchise tagged Maye with the intent of giving him a long-term contract. Maybe in the later rounds they find a player whose skill set is worth developing, but nothing more than that.
Cap update: The Jets had just over $33 million in salary-cap space before the Joyner, Keelan Cole and Dan Feeney signings. None of those three deals should take a massive chunk out of that. Contract specifics aren’t yet known.
2021 team outlook: Joyner is an intriguing signing and will fill a need on defense. Saleh wants to be versatile, and having players who can do what Joyner can adds to that. The Jets still need to address the corner position, though. This addition did not do that.
The Jets tried the bargain-buy route before. Mike Maccagnan went into one season with Darryl Roberts as his starter. Joe Douglas used Bless Austin and Pierre Desir last year. Both failed miserably. The Jets should do what they can to sign veteran Richard Sherman, then add another cornerback in the early rounds of the draft.
(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)
