#Brian Poole has done everything the Jets have asked of him

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“#Brian Poole has done everything the Jets have asked of him”

July 13, 2020 | 12:03pm

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 10: Brian Poole

Last year’s ranking: 22

Position: CB

Age on Opening Day: 27

How acquired: Signed a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent on March 14, 2019

Years left on contract: 1

2020 Salary Cap figure: $4.9 million

Looking back at 2019

Poole was one of the best free-agent signings the Jets made last year. He was one of their most consistent players as the slot cornerback.

Poole played in 14 games, starting 10 of them. He had 59 tackles, one interception, one touchdown, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.

Poole seemed to excel at whatever defensive coordinator Gregg Williams asked him to do. He was strong in coverage on slot receivers. He was an effective blitzer. He also gave Jamal Adams a challenge as the best tackler in the secondary.

PFF graded Poole as the ninth best cornerback out of 115 that qualified, the highest of those who primarily played in the slot. The web site had him eighth out of 117 in coverage. He allowed just 11 passing first downs all season, per PFF.

Outlook for 2020

The Jets re-signed Poole in March, giving him another one-year deal worth $5 million. Poole is going to be counted on to be one of the only sure things the Jets have at cornerback. The outside spots have Pierre Desir and some unproven players fighting for the second spot. Williams will be relying on Poole to take away the slot receiver.

Poole’s toughness and tackling really stood out in his first season with the Jets. There is no reason not to expect that to be the case again in 2020. The Jets did not upgrade at pass rusher either, so Poole will be asked to blitz from his nickel spot to create some pressure on opposing quarterbacks again.