NY Jets Sign CB Curtis Brown

The New York Jets have signed former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Curtis Brown.  Brown was the 31st pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.  He played three years as a backup cornerback for the Steelers, from 2011 through 2013.  The 26 year old Brown tore his ACL in November 2013 and was waived by the Steelers in March 2014.  Brown was not on an NFL roster in 2014.

A 6 foot, 185 pound cornerback, Curtis Brown graduated from Texas in 2011, after having played in the same defensive backfield as star safety Earl Thomas.  Scouting reports from 2011 emphasized his excellent speed and athleticism, although he only clocked a 4.51 40 at the NFL Combine.  He reportedly struggles in press coverage.  Brown was an All American wide receiver in high school, although his ball skills never seemed to reflect that in his cornerback play, as he only racked up one interception in college, and he has yet to secure one in the NFL.

Brown's best year in the NFL came in 2012, when he had 24 tackles, four assists, and two passes defended.  Brown has never started an NFL game, and it would seem likely he is at best a depth signing to battle the rest of the terrible Jets cornerbacks for roster spots. If nothing else he at least has great initials for his position.