Thursday, April 25, 2013

Jets replace Revis with Milliner via No. 9 overall pick

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Dee Milliner said Wednesday that he could formidably replace Darrelle Revis. Now he gets the chance to prove it.

The New York Jets, who acquired a second first-round pick by trading Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, drafted Milliner, the highly-touted Alabama cornerback, with their original No. 9 overall pick.

Gang Green drafts again at No. 13. (photo: Matt Tosh, Flickr)

Milliner has to be penciled in as the starter opposite Antonio Cromartie, who has established himself as a stellar No. 1 corner. Kyle Wilson, a former first-rounder who was previously slated opposite Cro, just isn't No. 2 material. He regularly finds himself chasing down receivers with his back to the ball.

Milliner tallied six interceptions in his college career and racked up 22 passes defensed last season alone during Alabama's National Championship campaign.

"I'm not trying to go in there and do what [Revis] did," Milliner said Wednesday, via ESPN New York. "I'll try to do what I can do and try to do more than what he did. ... I have to have confidence and faith in what I do. You have to have those. If I go out and try to reach the goal ... He's one of the best. If I try to do that, I can be one of the best, too."

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