The Jets had the honor of closing out the 2024 draft. Using pick No. 257, New York has selected Alabama defensive back Jaylen Key, making him this year’s Mr. Irrelevant.
Key began his college career at UAB, spending four seasons there. He made only 11 appearances across his first three campaigns at the Conference-USA program, but in 2022 he delivered a strong showing. Key played 13 games that year, posting 60 tackles and adding three interceptions. That production was followed up by a transfer to Alabama last offseason.
During his single campaign with the Crimson Tide, Key matched his total in terms of stops from the previous year, producing 1.5 tackles for loss. He picked off just one pass and added a pass deflection, limited ball production which can be explained by the other corners playing ahead of him on the depth chart. Key shared the field with Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, both who whom were (as expected) selected much earlier this weekend.
Now, Key will join a Jets team which is already set atop the depth chart at the cornerback spot (and which used a fifth-round selection earlier today on former CFLer Quan’Tez Stiggers). The 6-2, 210-pounder could attempt to see time in a depth role at safety, however. At a minimum, Key will look to carve out a roster spot as a special teams contributor and in doing so become a full-time NFL player to pair with a moniker which will stick with him for years to come.
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