It hasn't been a good offseason for Brandin Echols, who made headlines for receiving a one-game suspension from the National Football League.
The New York Jets' cornerback must sit out the Monday Night Football opener against the Buffalo Bills reportedly due to "a violation of the personal conduct policy."
The violation is assumed to stem from a high-speed car crash involving Echols not far from the team's facility in Florham Park in April 2022.
On March 10, the New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock reported that Echols had been "accepted in a diversionary program to avoid assault by auto charges." (Full story HERE)
Echols was already facing a challenge for playing time after having his role reduced in 2022. With the large majority of his game action coming on special teams, the cornerback logged only 69 defensive snaps over a 13-game sample.
The 2021 sixth-round draft pick made 14 starts while playing 77 percent of the team's defensive snaps as a rookie, but was pushed down the depth chart when Gang Green upgraded the position by drafting Sauce Gardner and signing D.J. Reed last offseason.
As a first-year pro, the 5-foot-10 Echols accounted for 63 combined tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed. Both late-season picks made for memorable moments. In Week 15, he had a game-tying pick-six against the Miami Dolphins. Two weeks later, he fulfilled a childhood dream by intercepting Tom Brady.
Number: 26
Current Status: Reserve
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2021 Round 6 (No. 143 overall)
2022 Final Stats: 13 GP, 8 total tackles, 2 PD
NFL Suspends Jets' Cornerback for Off-Field Incident
Disciplinary action has been taken against New York Jets' cornerback Brandin Echols.
What Tom Brady Had to Say About Signing Echols's INT Ball
Rookie Brandin Echols Dismisses Criticism of Tom Brady Autograph Request
Jets' Rookie Gets Autograph From Tom Brady After Interception
Echols's Pick-Six Was Highlight of Rookie's Memorable Performance
Jets Cap Off Draft Class With Three More Defenders in Sixth Round
Scouting Report: Brandin Echols, Inside Cornerback, Kentucky Wildcats
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!