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Jets' Claiborne claims he can be league's No. 1 corner when healthy

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Morris Claiborne hasn't lost any confidence despite a largely disappointing run with the Dallas Cowboys to begin his NFL career.

As the former first-round pick now settles in with the New York Jets after landing a one-year deal in free agency, he still sees himself as one of the league's top corners when healthy.

"I feel like I can be the No. 1 corner in this league if I'm healthy … when I'm healthy," Claiborne told Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post during OTAs this week. "When I'm out there playing and I'm healthy and I'm on my game, I don't feel like there is anybody better than me."

Injuries were indeed a major factor in Claiborne's struggles during his five years in Dallas, forcing him to miss 33 games over that stretch.

He finally seemed to be putting it all together in 2016, playing the best football of his career across the first seven games, but a major groin injury in Week 8 kept him on the sidelines until the playoffs.

Some better luck with injuries would help Claiborne provide a major upgrade to a Jets secondary that needs cornerback help in the worst way.

While it remains to be seen whether he'll ever live up to the hype that came with his No. 6 overall draft selection in 2011, last season's flashes were a positive sign for a talented player who is still just 27 years old.

Claiborne is using the frustrations of seasons past as motivation to prove the doubters wrong.

"When I'm on the field, I use it as a big chip on my shoulder," he said. "On the inside, I'm smiling like I'm going to show you."

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