The Jets recently signed cornerback Keenan Garber, who has already played one game for the Jets in preseason. Today, we break Garber down in detail.
The 26-year old Garber is listed at 6’0” and 188 pounds and was undrafted out of Kansas State last season. He has yet to make his NFL debut but started 17 games in college, during which he recorded 52 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Background
Garber was a three-star high school recruit, who originally headed to Kansas State as a wide
receiver in 2019.
In his first three seasons, he played in 19 games, during which he registered 88 yards on nine touches. That included a 54-yard reception.
In 2022, Garber remained as a wide receiver, but wasn’t getting any opportunities, so he opted to transfer to defensive back. An injury crisis during the Big 12 title game meant he was called into action, making one tackle. That was his only statistical contribution in 14 games that season.
Garber opted to remain at cornerback for his redshirt season, then remained there for another year, as he had an extra season of eligibility due to the pandemic. During those two seasons, he started 17 of 26 games and recorded 52 tackles, nine pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions, including a pick-six.
Despite a solid pro day workout, Garber was not considered as likely to be drafted and ultimately signed as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings, for whom he attended training camp and played in three preseason games.
After final cuts, he had brief stints on the practice squad for the Colts and Lions, but didn’t get elevated for a regular season game.
The Jets signed Garber just over a week ago, but he already led them in defensive snaps in his first appearance with them in preseason. He had three tackles in that game having registered no stats in three preseason appearances with Minnesota.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Garber brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Garber has average size, but lacks ideal length. However, he is a good athlete.
At his pro day, he ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash and managed 18 bench press reps with good agility and explosiveness numbers.
Usage
Garber has played almost exclusively as an outside cornerback in college and preseason action. When he was a wide receiver, he also played exclusively outside.
Coverage
Garber’s coverage numbers in his first season as a full-time cornerback were solid as he only allowed a catch on 50 percent of his targets for an average of less than 12 yards per catch. However, his numbers were worse in his final season as he gave up a 67 percent catch rate and almost 15 yards per catch.
He’s still relatively new to the position, although he did play defensive back in high school, but Garber moves around relatively smoothly. However, he can be late to react to route breaks.
Tet McMillan was a good test for him in his first season as a full-time cornerback, but he gave up five catches for 80 yards as McMillan went 11-for-138 in total.
At times, you’re left wondering if Garber completely trusts his own abilities because he often seems to play too far off his receiver.
Over the two seasons, Garber gave up three touchdowns. The longest play he gave up was only 45 yards but he gave up four plays of over 35 yards in his final season. Generally, he hasn’t been someone who has let receivers get behind him on deep throws, though.
Ball Skills
With nine passes defensed and two interceptions, including a pick-six, Garber has flashed some abilities to make plays on the ball with good timing and the ability to knock the ball out before a receiver can secure the catch.
Garber was only targeted 11 times in four seasons but didn’t have a dropped pass as a wide receiver. However, he doesn’t have a big catch radius to get his hands on the ball.
Tackling
Garber only had six missed tackles in each of his seasons as a full-time cornerback but he wasn’t a particularly productive tackler so his missed tackle rate was higher than you’d ideally like to see. Even on plays he makes, he displays rawness as a tackler, often diving in low or throwing a shoulder recklessly at the ball carrier.
He did not force any fumbles in his college career.
Run Defense
Garber has been rated as below average in run defense on analysis sites such as Pro Football Focus. Since he played on the outside, he barely contributed in this role. In his two seasons as a full-time cornerback he had eight tackles and six missed tackles in the running game. Only two of those tackles were near the line of scrimmage.
Blitzing
It was extremely rare for Garber to blitz from the outside cornerback position and he didn’t register a sack in his college career, although he did have one pressure.
Special Teams
Garber was on the field goal defense and saw some time as a vice and as a punt gunner in college, but didn’t have a great deal of production as he had just one special teams tackle.
He did have one highlight, though, returning this extra point 91 yards for a score.
Physicality
Garber only had seven penalties in his college career but was called for defensive pass interference twice and defensive holding once in 2024. He can also be outmuscled at the catch point from time to time.
Instincts
Playing on the other side of the ball may have helped Garber in terms of being able to read offensive formations or anticipate the receiver’s routes.
He also displayed good play recognition on the best play from his Jets debut, as he reacted well for this stop in the flat.
He was an academic all-Big 12 selection in 2024.
Attitude/Demeanor
Garber showed a good team-first attitude when he converted from wide receiver to cornerback. No doubt frustrated at not getting any opportunities on offense, it was Garber himself who approached coaches with the idea of converting.
Injuries
Injuries haven’t affected Garber during his collegiate career. He played in 59 games in total, including 58 over his last five years.
Scheme Fit
As noted, Garber is an outside cornerback, and that’s where he played – with the third unit – in his preseason debut. He may be considered more of a developmental piece though.
He was a teammate of current Jets safety VJ Payne at Kansas State.
Conclusions
Garber acquitted himself well enough in his first preseason appearance but the Jets have a few cornerbacks not currently playing who are clearly going to be on the final roster so there is no realistic chance of him making the team.
If he has another solid performance against the Giants, then perhaps Garber will have convinced the coaching staff that he’s got some potential and could continue to develop on the practice squad or if he is re-signed before camp next season.
The latter option, giving him a chance to play in the UFL this spring, could be a viable path to getting back into camp with the Jets or another team a year from now.
