Why New York Jets CB Dee Milliner Was Overlooked Against The Miami Dolphins

The New York Jets haven't exactly had a clean record drafting prospects in the first round of the draft recently. We've had some flops, we've had some disappointments and we've had some infuriating prospects. Dee Milliner could be described as well three, and his inability to stay healthy continues to hurt him in his 3rd season out of Alabama.

Despite showing some promise at the end of the 2013 season, recording three interceptions, Milliner hasn't been able to take the next step in his career, and he hasn't experienced a new lease of life under 1st year head coach Todd Bowles either. Milliner has rarely played this year and failed to see a single defensive snap on Sunday, despite being healthy.

With Darrelle Revis out and Marcus Williams suffering an injury in the first quarter, it was conceivable that Milliner would get at least some time against the Miami Dolphins, even if it wasn't significant. However, that didn't happen. With Revis out, Williams slotted into the starting base defense on the outside. When Williams went down, Buster Skrine moved outside and Darrin Walls came in. When Walls needed to play outside, Dexter McDougle came in. Dee Milliner remained seated on the bench, only seeing the field for a handful of special team plays.

When asked why he bypassed Milliner against Miami, Bowles explained:

Dee is more of an outside guy. Dexter is an inside guy. Dexter has been practicing at nickel and dime all year. Dee has been playing more outside. Dexter got plenty more practice time than Dee, as did Walls. (For) this game, it was easy to put him in because he knew a lot more.

It's been so long since we've seen Dee play significant snaps, I don't know what kind of job he's capable of doing now. Buster Skrine is an obvious slot guy, and struggled when moved to the outside. Darrin Walls is not a starting corner. He gave up several big plays, a TD, and if Kenny Stills could catch the ball, he may have given up 2 more scores as well.

When asked what would happen if both Revis and Williams were out this Sunday, Bowles reeled off the names of the players who coudl potentially fill in, with Dee right at the bottom of that list.

Obviously we've got Buster (Skrine) who has played outside and (Dexter) McDougle, (Darrin) Walls and we got Dee (Milliner). So, we've got enough guys to fill in and play.

It would be a shame if we've reached a point where Darrin Walls is considered a safer option than Dee Milliner.  Milliner has been suffering with a bad illness recently, so if he didn't get the reps needed to fill in, then fair enough. However, it will be interesting to see what we do this week if Revis/Williams fail to make it and Dee gets a full week or practice.

Most of the focus this week will go to stopping Odell Beckham Jr., a player we should double on every play. Outside of OBJ the New York Giants have the likes of  Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris, players whom our defense should be able to handle.