Seven-year NFL defensive back Lamarcus Joyner has signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the New York Jets. Joyner, a former second-round pick, spent the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jackson was the 10th defensive back selected in the 2014 NFL Draft.
And the money: 1-year, $4.5M https://t.co/pv9lNnTyn9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2021
Lamarcus Joyner, New York Jets, Agree to Contract
Lamarcus Joyner was cut after spending the last two seasons with the Raiders. At the time, he was thought to be one of the Raiders prized free agent signings. The Raiders moved him from the free safety position to nickel cornerback, also known as the slot cornerback. This move turned out to be an extremely poor one, as Joyner barely looked like a starter for long stretches at a time. It seemed clear to everyone but the Raiders that Joyner was play out of position. Why they never moved him back to free safety, especially considering it is an area of need for them, is beyond any of us.
Lamarcus Joyner initially entered the league in 2014 as the 41st overall pick of the NFL Draft. Selected by the then St. Louis Rams, Joyner had a slow start to his career. He only started in one game his rookie season even though he played in 10. Joyner finished his rookie season with 35 solo tackles and passes defended. It was not until he switched positions to free safety in 2017 that he finally started producing at a high level.
It has been an abysmal last two seasons for Lamarcus Joyner. He has struggled mightily in man-to-man pass coverage, and has proven that he does not possess the skill to play any other position than free safety. Hopefully, the team that signs him switches him back to free safety and plays to his strengths. If you are looking for someone to cover the elite tight ends out in space, this is not your guy.
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