AFC East Notes: Jets, Jason McCourty, Patriots

February 24, 2019

Jets

Per Brian Costello of the NY Post, the two likeliest options for the Jets with the third-overall pick in the draft are either to take a pass rusher or to trade back with a team looking to move up for a quarterback.
New York will be watching Kentucky pass rusher Josh Allen and Alabama DL Quinnen Williams closely at the Combine, as both are candidates for the Jets at No. 3. (Costello)
The Jets will also be watching UMass WR Andy Isabella, who said in January he had been timed running a 4.26 40-yard dash.

Jason McCourty

New England Patriots CB Jason McCourty says, despite the speculation, he never considered retiring and is hoping to play in 2019, preferably with the Patriots.

“(Brother Devin McCourty) got me intertwined,” said Jason via Tom Curran. “I’m over here answering retirement questions and I never said anything about retirement.”

Jason McCourty is in the final year of a two-year, $6 million deal he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He was traded to New England in March of 2018 and finished the season as Pro Football Focus’ 11th-ranked corner. But with younger corners behind him, it’s unclear if the Patriots want him back.

“First and foremost, if I could be back in New England and all of that works out, that would be awesome,” Jason McCourty said. “That way it wouldn’t be the third consecutive year I had to move my family. That would be an advantage. But at the same time you realize how much of this is a business and how much of this isn’t dictated by (the feeling), ‘Hey, I just want to play here with my brother and the guys I built a relationship with.’ There’s so much more that goes into it.”

Patriots

Patriots DB Devin McCourty says incoming defensive coach Greg Schiano, who’s expected to be the new defensive coordinator, will fit in perfectly in New England.

“I remember when I got to New England after leaving Rutgers realizing that I was ready,” said McCourty via Tom Curran of NBC Sports. “I was ready for the long meetings, the long days, understanding time management. He made us very pro ready.

“When I left, even though I probably hated some things, I realized when I got to New England (the preparation I got),” McCourty added. “I remember other guys saying, ‘Shoot, this is too hard.’ I was thinking, ‘This is easier than when I was at Rutgers.’”

Given the Patriots’ penchant for acquiring former first-round picks from other team’s, NESN’s Doug Kyed thinks New England could target Raiders S Karl Joseph in a trade.
New England could also consider moving CB Jonathan Jones, an upcoming restricted free agent, to safety, where he played during the Super Bowl.
Kyed says he could see the Patriots being interested in free agent WRs Jamison Crowder, Adam Humphries, Jermaine Kearse and Demaryius Thomas.
If New England doesn’t trade back, Kyed believes Iowa TE Noah Fant, Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr. and Washington DB Taylor Rapp are candidates for the No. 32 pick.