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Who is Kyle Wilson? A look at the New Orleans Saints' new cornerback


Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown as New York Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson (20) runs behind him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) (Bill Kostroun)

By Evan Woodbery, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayun

When the New York Jets selected Kyle Wilson with the 29th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, they thought they were getting one of the top corners in the nation.

Three picks later, when the New Orleans Saints added Patrick Robinson, they likely thought the same thing.

Neither player was a bust -- both are still in pro football five years later -- but nor did they reach the high expectations placed on a first-round pick.
The Saints let Robinson walk in free agency, replacing him on Wednesday with Wilson, whose name was likely written next to Robinson's on that same draft board five years ago.

While Robinson struggled with injuries and missed almost the entire 2013 season, Wilson has never missed a game in his five-year career.
Wilson's only opportunity as a true every-down player came in 2012, when he started 15 games.

After 2012, he settled into a nickel role. Wilson, listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, will probably compete for that job on the Saints.
Wilson played 320 defensive snaps in 2014, 480 in 2013 and 966 in 2012, according to Pro Football Focus.

In 2014, according to PFF, he was targeted 30 times. Quarterbacks completed 22 passes for 271 yards and one touchdown. The longest completion was 33 yards.

In 2013, quarterbacks completed 29 of 52 passes on which Wilson was targeted for 310 yards, according to the website.

The Jets kept Wilson as a nickel back and special teams contributor but made no effort to resign him for 2015. Reviews of his performance varied. One blogger said Wilson was an "underrated gem" and one of the best nickel corners in the league. But the team was hesitant to play him in any role beyond the slot.

Media coverage of his departure suggests that, like Robinson, Wilson was sometimes a favorite scapegoat for fans. Under the headline "Least favorite Jet Kyle Wilson is now Rob Ryan's problem," the New York Post wrote, "Jets fans won't have Kyle Wilson to kick around anymore. The cornerback the Jets fans loved to hate signed with the Saints on Wednesday."

Who is Kyle Wilson? A look at the New Orleans Saints' new cornerback | NOLA.com

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