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The Jets quietly added a very intriguing defensive prospect after the season who could turn out to be a steal for them depending on how the stars align.
After the 2013 season concluded, the Jets signed safety Brandon Hardin to a future contract.
He is a 6-3, 217 pounds safety from Oregon State, who runs under 4.5. He was a track star in high school in his native Hawaii.
Hardin was a third round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2012 draft.
This guy is a good football player, but has been snake-bitten by injuries over the last three years.
He missed his entire senior season due to a shoulder injury. But it should be noted he came back at the end of that college football season to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
As a rookie, he suffered a neck injury against the Washington Redskins while tackling tight end Logan Paulsen.
It was one of those scary scenes where you wondered if the player was paralyzed. He was down on the field for a while. Hardin ended up being okay, but landed on injured reserve.
Then the following summer, he suffered a scapula injury, in the fourth preseason game, and was let go with an injury settlement.
Hey, we all understand there is a serious durability question with this player.
And if he gets hurt with the Jets, it’s likely the end of the line for him.
But the Jets are gambling on him finally staying healthy, and if he does, this guy could constitute a major steal.
He’s so fast for his size he actually played a lot of cornerback at Oregon State.
This guy not only has a great size-speed ratio, but he a superb athlete with great body control. And for a tall defensive back, he changes directions smoothly. Hardin is also a big-time hitter (probably why has been banged up so much). He’s also very bright (has his college degree) and has a good feel for the game. He will pick things up quickly.
He also has tremendous character.
If it wasn’t for his unfortunate injury history, he likely emerges as a starting safety for the Chicago Bears.
The Jets really liked him coming out of Oregon State, and now get a second chance at him.
They are paying him so little, why not take a flyer on him?
If he can finally stay in one piece, this is a player who can help the Jets fix a big problem – covering tight ends.
There was so much buzz before last season that DeMario Davis taking over for Bart Scott would help the Jets in the tight end coverage department.
It really didn’t. While Davis is faster than Scott, his coverage instincts are shaky, and often takes missteps in pass defense, so the improved tight end coverage the Jets expected really didn’t happen.
A safety with the size and speed of Hardin could be a boon to the Jets’ tight end coverage.
They are just keeping their fingers crossed on the medical front.
April 8, 2014
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