IT’S WONDERFUL: $4 Million Jets ‘Star’ Pops in Preseason, Could Steal Roster Spot.
The New York Jets could have another breakout “star” on the defensive side of the ball. Coming off the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor labeled second-year defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse “a clear #1 star”.
JBC was the highest-graded Jets player after the game, with an overall grade of 87.9, according to Pro Football Focus.
Connor Hughes of SNY said he believes JBC is, “starting to earn himself a roster spot when he wasn’t necessarily a roster lock to begin this summer.”
Bernard-Converse Was Punched in the Mouth and Got Back Up for the Jets.
Bernard-Converse, 24, was on the receiving end of a SportsCenter top-10 play early in the Jets-Commanders game. Jayden Daniels, Washington’s rookie quarterback, was facing a third and six at 14:28 in the first quarter.
Daniels hit wide receiver Dyami Brown with a deep pass in an empty shotgun formation for the huge convert. Daniels’ 42-yard completion was his first of the day, and JBC was the Jets defender in coverage.
livered for the rest of the game. He was targeted six times in coverage and the only catch he gave up was the 42-yarder, per PFF via Jack Stollow.
Film analyst Joe Blewett of Jets X-Factor stated on social media that it is “hard to blame JBC for the one deep reception he gave up.” Excellent coverage; sometimes excellent throws outperform tremendous coverage.
Head coach Robert Saleh highlighted Bernard-Converse in his post-game presser for his resilience and ability to bounce back.
JBC, that could be the coolest one from a defensive standpoint because he was hit by that go-ball. It’s really easy to tank, go into your own brain, and seem afraid. [After that play], he continued to play chest-to-chest, tight coverage, press technique, and made numerous plays with the ball. I don’t think he gave up another one, if I’m not mistaken, but I’m incredibly pleased of JBC and how he came back from the go-ball,” Saleh told the reporters on Saturday, August 10.
JBC has been making plays all offseason long.
This wasn’t the first time that Bernard-Converse has made plays this spring and summer.
“A lot of people are sleeping on him,” rookie cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers said of Bernard-Converse via Dennis Waszak of the AP. “He’s going to have a pretty big year. … JBC is that dude, like, for real.”
The green and white decided this offseason to convert JBC from a safety into a corner. Back during his time in college, JBC played both safety and corner, per Dennis Waszak of the Associated Press. This offseason they changed their mind and flipped him back to corner.
entered the NFL as the 204th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Bernard-Converse’s debut season was plagued by injuries.
He played in eight games but did not make a start. JBC played 1% of the defensive snaps but made a considerably greater effect on special teams, appearing in 45% of them. JBC has three years remaining on his $4 million rookie contract.
At the beginning of camp, Bernard-Converse’s chances of cracking the 53-man roster seemed slim. However, after this breakout performance, the arrow is pointing in the right direction.
One game does not make a roster, but it’s a good start.
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