May 27, 2021; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas (left) chats with head coach Robert Saleh during an OTA at Jets Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
The Jets did some minor shuffling of their roster yesterday as they brought in former UFL quarterback Adrian Martinez and veteran cornerback Kendall Sheffield. While neither move will register much more than a blip on anyone’s radar, Sheffield is interesting for a few reasons.
First and foremost, despite having the NFL’s best trio of starting cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed and Michael Carter, the Jets have very little experience behind them on the depth chart. In fact, Brandin Echols is the only corner on the roster with double-digit starts (15) prior to Sheffield’s arrival. Sheffield is now the most experienced non-starter on the roster with 20 starts in 43 games.
Versatility is another factor for Sheffield who has played significant snaps both in the slot and on the boundary for the Falcons, and on a more limited basis last season with the 49ers. Experience and versatility were certainly a factor in bringing Sheffield in for a look.
Sheffield is also a guy who current Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be familiar with from their time together in Atlanta where Ulbrich was on the Falcons’ defensive staff. Given his pull within the building, he almost certainly would have had some input on whether or not to kick the tires on Sheffield.
In the end we have no idea what Kendall Sheffield will show upon arrival, but he has some factors working in his favor if he’s hoping to find a new home at 1 Jets Drive.