A lot of the focus throughout the first week of free company with the Jets has been on the strikes Joe Douglas has made or not made on offense.
However Douglas additionally has been lively on the opposite facet of the ball, and the workforce’s line of defense, thought-about one of many Jets’ strengths in 2023, may have a unique look this season.
The Jets entered free company with only one confirmed defensive sort out on the roster in star Quinnen Williams. Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas and Al Woods all have been free brokers.
Douglas went out and signed Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu and agreed on Friday to a take care of Thomas to return.
Then, at edge rusher the Jets allowed Bryce Huff, who led the workforce in sacks final yr, to flee to the Eagles for a three-year, $51 million contract.
Huff’s departure has created a gap at edge the place head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich prefer to have a three-man rotation on passing downs.
The workforce has but to fill that Huff-sized gap however they’ve a potential alternative coming to Florham Park on Monday.
Jadeveon Clowney, the 10-year veteran who had 9.5 sacks for the Ravens final yr will go to the Jets on Monday and Tuesday.
The 31-year-old entered the NFL because the No. 1 general choose by the Texans in 2014 however has develop into a journeyman late in his profession.
He has performed for 5 totally different groups.
The Jets have used first-round picks within the final two drafts on edge rushers in order that they actually simply want a 3rd rusher to finish their rotation.
The workforce expects Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald to proceed to progress and they’re going to get after the quarterback.
Additionally they have John Franklin-Myers, who they use on first and second down extra.
Inside, probably the most intriguing signing is Kinlaw. The 2020 first-round choose was a disappointment in San Francisco, the place he performed for Saleh as a rookie.
He has had harm points however had some good moments final yr. He had 3.5 sacks and 12 pressures and appeared in each recreation.
Some individuals have been stunned that he acquired $7.25 million in a one-year deal from the Jets, but when his potential turns into productiveness that can be value it.
Thomas, 28, had 5 sacks for the Jets final yr as a part of the defensive sort out rotation.
He’s common with teammates and a very good chief for the workforce.
Bringing him again was a sensible transfer for the Jets.
The Jets tried to re-sign Jefferson even after they signed Kinlaw however Jefferson ended up signing with the Browns.
Fotu is a little bit of an unknown however at 25, he makes the line of defense room youthful.
He’s an enormous physique at 6-foot-5 and 334 kilos and is usually a run stuffer on early downs.
He’s not a lot of a cross rusher however the Jets don’t want him to be with Williams, Kinlaw and Thomas within the rotation.
