Charles Tillman: Potential Jets

Full disclosure: Charles Tillman is one of my favorite defensive players in the league. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro that's played his entire career with the Chicago Bears. He's become famous for his ability to intercept the ball (36 times in his career) and force fumbles (42). He's mostly played in zone coverage, especially the Cover-Two, but he's more than capable of playing in man coverage. He is, in my opinion, one of the best and most well-rounded cornerbacks in the league.

With the likely departure of Antonio Cromartie, the New York Jets are currently slated to start Dee Milliner and possibly Darrin Walls at cornerback. With that starting duo, there's a lot of hoping and praying that will have to be done. Instead, I would suggest the team look at signing Tillman to play opposite Milliner. The team would be able to play more zone coverage and hopefully create more turnovers while the defensive line puts the quarterback on his back every play.

We've seen that Milliner has played extremely well in zone, in fact, his interceptions have come when he's in zone coverage, so a zone-heavy scheme would make more sense, especially with Tillman aboard. With Muhammad Wilkerson, Quinton Coples, Sheldon Richardson, and Damon Harrison forcing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball, we would likely see more interceptions.

I don't know what Tillman would cost. My guess is ~$8 million per year, but again, that's a guess. Compared to Cromartie's $15 million price tag next season, it's a relative bargain. I would love to see Peanut Tillman in green and white.