Carolina Panthers

Signing Bene Benwikere would be a smart move by Jets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New York Jets need depth bad in their defensive secondary as cornerback Bene Benwikere would be a great acquisition to fix an inefficient unit.

The secondary of the New York Jets has had its woes through Week 4. Recently cut by the Carolina Panthers, bringing in cornerback Bene Benwikere would be a smart move. With Darrelle Revis now nursing a hamstring injury, they can use all the help they can get.

Earlier this afternoon, Carolina surprisingly cut Benwikere in lieu of being apart of the 300 yards wide receiver Julio Jones gained against them in Week 4. Is this a scapegoat move? Perhaps. I say that because aside from this past Sunday, Benwikere has played well. The Panthers are surely in need of cornerbacks, and the Jets are another team in need of a fresh pair of legs in their secondary.

On the season, Benwikere has a combined 10 tackles and 1 interception. The third-year corner has experience and would be a great fit for a Jets secondary that has seen struggling play from both Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams. They both may have double-digit tackles, but in recent weeks have inexcusably given up big plays.

Not to mention a hobbled Revis, who is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie Juston Burris should see an increase in play, but bringing Benwikere aboard could pay off.

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In hindsight it would also be a very Mike Maccagnan-like move; hitting the bargain bin for low-risk signings, as he recently did with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

This past Sunday, Benwikere did admit to having some conditioning issues. The Charlotte Observer reported as per Joseph Person:

Benwikere said the Falcons put some of their other receivers in – and a tight end in one case – and had them run deep routes against Benwikere. Then Jones would return and run another long route – and get a step or two or three on Benwikere.

He had since put forth extra reps in his conditioning in practice this week, but it wasn’t enough to keep his job in Carolina.

If the Jets are fortunate enough to claim and sign Benwikere through waivers, they would be smart to consider. The fifth-round pick from 2014 has proved in the last three seasons that he is capable of holding his own. The Jets should not shy away due to being apart of the bad Week 4 thumping they took.

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