Ahead of the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets announced they have elevated rookie cornerback Korie Black from their practice squad.
Black, 23, was a seventh-round pick by the New York Giants out of Oklahoma State in this year’s NFL draft. He cracked the Giants’ initial 53-man roster before being waived shortly thereafter, and he landed with Gang Green after the team lost cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse to the Cleveland Browns due to the waiver wire.
Throughout his four-year college career at Oklahoma State, Black appeared in 61 games, compiling 100 total tackles (74 solo) with 21 pass deflections and four interceptions while forcing two fumbles.
NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote of Black, “Three-year starting cornerback with good size and great speed. Black played in all coverage schemes but needs more polish in press and off-man. He’s not bad at matching route breaks and releases, and he can be smothering at the catch point when his route anticipation is on.
“He plays with eye balance and readiness from zone, but needs to trust his instincts. His difficulty finding and playing the football with his back to the quarterback is an issue, though.”
With Black’s elevation, the Jets are likely to make either third-round rookie Azareye’h Thomas or Qwan’tez Stiggers inactive today. Neither cornerback logged a defensive snap in the season opener, suggesting their game-day roles are tied primarily to special teams.
Black is expected to see the field as the Jets look to secure their first win of the 2025 season.
