With the ninth pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the New York Jets finally made a great selection, much to the approval of it’s raucous fans in Dee Milliner
The Jets would land the former Alabama cornerback with the ninth pick after it was widely believed that Milliner would be taken by the Cleveland Browns at No.6
The Jets who were believed to draft wide receiver Tavon Austin never had the chance, as the St. Louis Rams swooped in and drafted the speedy receiver, trading up to the eighth overall pick, just one away from the Jets.
Recently, the Jets traded away cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, receiving many picks including the 13th overall pick in which the Jets decided to take defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. The decision to draft Milliner finally gave the Jets fans something to cheer about instead of screaming and booing at the representatives.
Milliner has the potential to be a future star in the pros, as his size and athleticism are a huge advantage for the cornerback, as he could match up with some elite wide receivers in the pros today.
Milliner will be given the starting role right away, as his impact will immediately help the Jets’ defense stop the opposing team’s passing game.
Luckily for the Jets, they got a stud to fill in for ‘Revis Island’, but the team did miss out on the best receiver in the draft class in Austin.
While in Tuscaloosa, Milliner was an All-American as a junior, and even played with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Doctors insist that he will be 100% healthy by training camp in June. If healthy, Milliner can be a top defensive back in the league in just a couple of years.
Arguably the best cornerback in the draft, as he will give many quarterbacks some trouble throughout the game. Milliner will become a household name in the pros and will soon become a fan-favorite for Jets fans.
Check out Robert Cobb’s article on the Cleveland Browns passing on Dee Milliner and drafting Barkevious Mingo here