Marcus Cooper finished the 2016 preseason buried on the Chiefs’ depth chart, but after standing out following a trade to the Cardinals, the cornerback has established himself as a viable free agent. The Jets are interested in adding Cooper to their reconfigured cornerback corps, Connor Hughes of NJ.com reports.
Cooper defensed 11 passes and intercepted a career-high four in Arizona, returning one of those picks for a score. Deficient at the cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals want to re-sign Cooper but are aware his price might be too high.
The Jets are making a move toward a younger position group after cutting Darrelle Revis. Gang Green still has Buster Skrine under contract and is expected to tender Marcus Williams at the second-round level.
Initially arriving in Kansas City as a waiver claim, Cooper became an instant contributor for the 2013 Chiefs, intercepting three passes. But Cooper’s role slowly began to diminish in the years that followed. After starting 27 games between the ’13 and ’14 slates, Cooper seldom played on a 2015 Chiefs team that only used two cornerbacks in dime packages. Pro Football Focus, though, is less bullish on Cooper’s resurgence last season, slotting the now-27-year-old defender as its No. 101 full-time corner.