As the Jets get close to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 15: Marcus Maye
Last year’s ranking: 5
Position: S
Age on Opening Day: 26
How acquired: Selected in the second round of the 2017 Draft
Years left on contract: 2
2019 Salary Cap figure: $1.8 million
Looking back at 2018: Injuries were the story of Maye’s second season with the Jets. He just could not stay on the field.
Maye began the year trying to come back from a foot injury he suffered in the final game of his rookie year. That kept him sidelined for the first three games of the season. He returned for two games and then injured his thumb, which cost him a game. After he came back from that, he played three games before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery, ending his season.
Maye had one interception when he was playing. He memorably returned it 104 yards before getting caught just shy of the end zone at the end of the Broncos game. He also had two passes defensed and a ½ sack.
It is hard to judge Maye’s year because he was out for most of it.
Outlook for 2019: The Jets held Maye back in the spring, hoping to avoid him re-injuring his shoulder. He did not do team drills, but did participate in 7-on-7 toward the end of the spring with a red no-contact jersey on.
The Jets need a healthy Maye on the back end. He and Jamal Adams looked like a good tandem as rookies in 2017. Maye needs to prove he can stay on the field. If he does that, his talent should be evident to the new Jets decision-makers.
Maye is a nice complement to Adams. Both of them can play near the line of scrimmage or deep, but the Jets were at their best two years ago with Adams playing in the box and Maye playing centerfield. Maye was an older draft pick, so he is going to be 28 when his rookie deal is up. It will be interesting to see what he can do this year and next to improve his value.