Expect D’Angelo Ponds to Force Jets to Make Tough Decision

It’s only June, so Jets head coach Aaron Glenn doesn’t have to make any snap decisions regarding his depth chart just yet, but when that time does come, expect rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds to make Glenn’s life difficult in the best way possible.

Following Ponds’ selection with the 50th overall pick, Glenn said he expects the corner to play a fair bit of nickel this season.  But if Ponds is as good as we believe he is, Glenn is going to have a hard time keeping any other set of corners ahead of him as a starter on the boundary.

Brandon Stephens is locked in to start at one of the two corner spots given his hefty salary, so Ponds should be battling the likes of Nahshon Wright, Azareye’h Thomas, and Qwan’tez Stiggers on the outside.

Based on what we’ve seen from Ponds thus far, it’s a battle he appears to be more than capable of winning.

Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Ponds has consistently stood out for his competitiveness and confidence. Despite being one of the smallest defensive backs on the field, he hasn’t looked overmatched and has shown the same aggressive style that made him one of the top corners in this year’s draft class.

Several observers have noted Ponds lining up all over the secondary, and while the Jets will certainly use that versatility to their advantage, it would be a surprise if they don’t at least give him an opportunity to compete for significant snaps on the outside once training camp gets underway.

Of course, there are still plenty of questions to answer. Pads haven’t come on yet, preseason games haven’t been played, and veteran quarterbacks haven’t spent weeks game-planning to expose rookie mistakes. But when evaluating young players this time of year, coaches are looking for traits, confidence, and consistency. Ponds has checked each of those boxes.

The Jets entered the offseason looking for answers at cornerback following the departure of Sauce Gardner. While Stephens was brought in to help stabilize the position, the long-term solution may already be on the roster.

If D’Angelo Ponds continues to build on a strong spring when training camp opens next month, Aaron Glenn may discover that the rookie isn’t simply competing for a role in the nickel package. He may be forcing his way into the conversation as one of the Jets’ best three corners, regardless of where he lines up.

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