Free safety Adrian Colbert works out with the New York Jets
On Thursday, the New York Jets made headlines around the league as they brought in linebacker Reuben Foster for a workout, a former first-round pick of Robert Saleh‘s San Francisco 49ers.
Former #49ers 1st-round LB Reuben Foster is working out for the #Jets today, per agent @malkikawa, as he looks to get back on the field for the 1st time in 2 years. Foster has battled back from knee surgery while with Washington but put himself in position to get a look from NYJ.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2021
Saleh continued to show interest in familiar faces on Friday. The Jets brought in former 49ers free safety Adrian Colbert for a workout, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Some late week tryouts/visits:
* Seahawks worked out LB Daren Bates and LB Kamal Martin
* Panthers hosted WR Alex Erickson on a visit
* Jets worked out S Adrian Colbert
* Colts worked out S Steven Parker
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2021
Colbert, who will turn 28 in October, was selected by the 49ers with the 229th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft – Saleh’s first season as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator.
The Miami (FL) product turned out to be a seventh-round success story for the Niners. He played in 21 games for San Francisco over his first two seasons, starting 12.
Colbert played six games (five starts) for the Dolphins in 2019 and six more games for the Giants (with two starts) in 2020. He spent the 2021 offseason with the Patriots before being released on Aug. 30.
Under Saleh, Colbert showed immense promise in his 2017 rookie season, especially in coverage. He covered well enough in his deep safety role for teams to target him only 10 times over 310 snaps in coverage throughout the season. Colbert flashed great ball skills as he recorded a pass breakup on half (5) of those 10 targets.
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Colbert was unable to replicate that success in his sophomore season. In 2018, he was targeted 11 times over 209 coverage snaps and allowed 10 catches for 223 yards and four touchdowns, recording just one pass breakup.
Colbert quietly provided some great coverage for the Dolphins and Giants in his limited appearances throughout the past two years. From 2019-20, Colbert covered on 291 snaps and allowed only three catches on five targets for four yards (although one of those catches was a touchdown).
The Jets’ safety position currently consists of Marcus Maye, Lamarcus Joyner, Sharrod Neasman, and Sheldrick Redwine. Second-year man Ashtyn Davis will start the season on injured reserve.
New York currently has two spots open on its practice squad.
