Safety Marcus Gilchrist's success is vital to Gang Green in 2015.
By Glenn Naughton
Continuing their free agent spending spree, the New York Jets have reportedly come to terms with former San Diego Chargers safety Marcus Gilchrist. Terms of the deal are unknown at this time. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Gilchrist is expected to sign with the Jets sometime today.
Gilchrist joins cornerbacks Antonio Cromarite, Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine as gang green’s latest additions to a secondary that’s going to look vastly different from the one that surrendered 31 touchdown passes last season.
A fourth year player out of Clemson, the 5′ 10” 198 lb Gilchrist brings youth and versatility as a college cornerback who was later converted to safety by the Chargers. Gilchrist has also been utilized as a nickel corner from time to time in San Diego’s defensive scheme.
The former second round pick brings a great deal of speed (4.45 40) to the position and has registered three forced fumbles to go along with three interceptions since taking on the starting role in San Diego in 2013 when he finished third on the team with 77 tackles.
Gilchrist and second-year safety Calvin Pryor will likely man the middle of the Jets’ defensive backfield with Pryor appearing to be the only returning starter from last year’s group.