Antonio Cromartie Signs 4-year, $32 Million Deal with the Jets, it's OK to Get Excited ... About the Defense

Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis are together again in the New York Jets secondary. The tandem helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship game in 2010 – the last time they were in the playoffs. Cromartie, who turns 31 in April, has inked a 4-year, $32 million deal to join the Jets. Revis signed a 5-year $70 million deal earlier this week.

The Jets have had a strong week in free agency, and will end up near the top of most ‘winners’ lists. The Brandon Marshall trade was a victory. Taking James Carpenter from the Seattle offensive line was an excellent decision. Resigning David Harris was crucial because the MLB free agent market was garbage. There’s still a need at safety and outside linebacker that can be addressed late in free agency or in the draft (or both).

Here’s a quick look at the Jets defense, assuming new coach Todd Bowles sticks with the 3-4:

DE – Muhammad Wilkerson (who they’ll have to franchise tag or pay heavily next year)
DT – Damon Harrison (they’ll have to pay him next year)
DE – Sheldon Richardson
OLB – Quinton Coples (free agent in 2016)
ILB – David Harris
ILB – Demario Davis
OLB – Calvin Pace/Jason Babin
CB – Darrelle Revis
CB – Antonio Cromartie
S – Calvin Pryor
S – ?

The defense will certainly be the strength of the team because … they still don’t have a QB. If the Jets or their fans think Ryan Fitzpatrick or Geno Smith can come in and play mistake-free football and carry this team to a playoff berth, they’re dreaming. I don’t think either QB could get them to .500.

Which – again – is why I think it’s paramount to draft Marcus Mariota 6th. Look at it this way: Even if he’s not incredible as a rookie, by year two, Mariota – along with two great cornerbacks who will begin the downside of their career – should have the Jets contending in the AFC, a league that might not have Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

The Jets offseason has been exciting, but the only way to really get geeked for 2015 is to add Marcus Mariota in the draft. If he’s not there at 6, there’s noting you can do – no, I wouldn’t trade up – but I think he will be, and passing on him would be catastrophic.