Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have scooped up free-agent cornerback Pierre Desir on a one-year deal for 2020.
On Sunday, Joe Douglas continued his value game as it pertains to free agency.
According to Connor Hughes of The Athletic, the New York Jets and free-agent cornerback Pierre Desir have agreed to a one-year deal.
Desir, 29, will turn 30 on Sept. 8 of this year. He’s a six-year vet who’s started 23 games over the last two seasons and may just hold down one of Gregg Williams’s starting outside spots this coming season.
The Lindenwood product was drafted in the fourth round by the Cleveland Browns back in 2014. After dressing in 19 games for the Browns over two seasons, he and the then-San Diego Chargers agreed to a deal. It wasn’t until 2018, with the Colts, that Desir ascended to starting-caliber cornerback status.
In 28 games over the last two years, Desir tallied four interceptions, 19 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and 129 total tackles.
Desir will be thrown into a big pile of cornerbacks vying for two outside starting spots. Other than Brian Poole, who clearly mans down the slot, Desir will compete with Arthur Maulet, Bless Austin and more this coming summer in Gregg Williams’s defense.
There’s no question that Desir will be (at the very least) pencilled into one of the two outside spots. Amazingly, his 36 games started over six seasons leads the position in terms of experience. But while he’ll be at least penciled in, the summer will shake out the true starters come Week 1. Arthur Maulet, Bless Austin and, hopefully, a couple more names will have a lot to say about those two spots.
Whether it’s on the offensive line or in the secondary, it’s clear what Douglas is attempting to do. He wants to create competition. Don’t assume starting spots for any of these free-agent pickups (other than Connor McGovern).
