Draft Target Max Melton Visits New York Jets

The New York Jets don't need a cornerback, but with expiring contracts on the horizon, a prospect like Rutgers' Max Melton might make sense.

If there’s one thing the New York Jets can feel confident in, it’s that they are going to get elite cornerback play. Cornerbacks Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II have made their case as the league’s best trio on the back end, and all signs point to that continuing in 2024.

However, with any eye to the future, New York won’t be afraid of adding to the secondary in the NFL Draft.

On Wednesday, Rutgers cornerback Max Melton visited the Jets, presumably on an official 30 basis.

Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Max Melton (16)

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Melton – whose brother, Bo, saw action with the Green Bay Packers last season – has flown a little under the radar, but there is growing speculation that he’ll be a Day 2.

Melton was the best player on a strong Rutgers defense and projects as an instant contributor at the next level thanks to his versatility and athleticism. While a bit undersized (5-11, 187 pounds), Melton ran a sub-4.40 40-yard dash and matched it with similarly elite marks in the vertical (40.5) and broad jump (11-4) that measure explosiveness.

He’s a quick-twitch athlete who can comfortably play in the slot or on the boundary, despite his size limitations. In that way, he is fairly similar to Reed, who had to deal with others pushing him inside due to his size. As Jets fans know, he’s carved out one hell of a career for himself on the boundary.

However, New York may be interested because its esteemed trio may be whittled down to a solo act in a year’s time. Both Reed and Carter are free agents after the upcoming season.

Extending either (especially Carter) should be a priority, but it is far too early to project where the Jets will stand given their cap health, reliance on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the litany of one-year deals handed out this offseason. Thus, it makes sense to find a replacement ahead of time, both as leverage and insurance.

If he falls to the Jets’ third-round pick, 72nd overall, they may struggle to find a better player on the board. General manager Joe Douglas has preached flexibility and adding talent over need, which works in Melton’s favor.

He could provide depth in his rookie year before replacing one of the two potentially departing defensive backs. Unlike some backup corners in recent memory, he shouldn’t be able to get picked on, either. Melton has flashed in press coverage even if he is at his best away from the line of scrimmage, boasts the physicality to hold up in the run, and is more nuanced than his Day 2 counterparts, especially in zone coverage.

Melton may not be a fan-favorite given the lack of a pressing need in the secondary, but the hometown kid could provide value to the Jets from their own backyard.