Rex Ryan indicated today at his press conference that the team will sign a defensive back since Jim Leonhard and James Ihedigbo are both hurt. Here are his qualifications:
It's tough now because if you have to play them, they better be familiar with what you're doing.
The safety needs to be familiar with the system. That narrows things down a bit. I see a few people fitting this criteria.
Emanuel Cook: The Jets have had the safety in camp the last two years. He was one of the final cuts this year.He has a leg up on the competition because he's in game shape after starting at safety in the UFL for the Hartford Colonials.
Donovan Warren: The NFL Draft Advisory Board, comprised of NFL talent men, pegged Warren as second or third round talent. He was undrafted, though, and signed with the Jets. He played corner in college. The Jets worked him at safety in preseason. He's very physical but lacks speed. The team temporarily signed him to the practice squad after he missed final cuts. Defensive line coach Mark Carrier is his godfather. He could get another look.
Kevin Fitzhugh: Another safety cut at the end of camp, the Jets actually reached out to Fitzhugh, but he turned them down to remain a train conductor. My guess is this is the first time in NFL history this happened.
Bo Smith: Another late cut, Smith isn't too likely since he's a corner, and the Jets really need a safety. He also is in game shape after spending the season with Hamilton of the CFL.
Prince Miller: This is another corner. Miller is a rookie from Georgia currently on Baltimore's practice squad. Since the two teams have the same system, he could be an option. He would also provide intelligence on a potential Playoff opponent. he was on the active roster early in the year but was never active for a game.
DeAngelo Smith: Smith is a safety on the practice squad in Cleveland, where Rex's brother is the defensive coordinator and runs a similar scheme. Unlike the other guys on the list, he actually has 7 games of experience and a start under his belt with the Lions last season.
Coye Francies: Another Cleveland practice squad safety with playing experience, Francies was a college teammate of Dwight Lowery, which might help a transition.