How Brandin Echols’ versatility can help NY Jets defense | Film

After selecting two cornerbacks and two hybrid linebacker/safeties with the previous four picks of the 2021 NFL draft, the New York Jets found themselves on the clock in the sixth round with pick No. 200.  With many needs still on the team, including linebacker, edge, tight end, right guard and more, fans expected the Jets to attempt to fill one of those positions. They had to go in one of those directions, right? Nope. Instead, the Jets tripled down on the cornerback position, selecting Kentucky’s Brandin Echols, effectively throwing darts at the defense’s (and arguably the entire team’s) greatest position of need. Do I think the Jets had it in ink that they had to pick another cornerback at this spot? No, but they followed one of my primary beliefs in the later rounds of the NFL draft: select elite athletic traits or draft talent that fell because of injuries. The Jets decided to go with the former, in drafting Echols. It just happened to also represent a position of need, which is an added bonus.  Echols