Like the offense, the needs are few and far between then fans want to admit. The secondary has been bitten by injuries and not one but two potential starters lost for the season. Marcus Maye a fan favorite albeit football player only, off the field another discussion not for now. Could he be franchised tag again, or will they walk away from him because of his legal situation? The other was brought in for his first year with the Jets is LaMarcus Joyner but will have to see if they attempt to offer him another opportunity for another year or decline. Sharrod Neasman, Jarrod Wilson are solid options as role players. But with the signing of Eagles practice squad player Elijah Riley the Jets may have found their second starting safety with Ashtyn Davis who has been a bright spot this year.
In the secondary, the corner position is the youngest around the league and don't play like it. Led by Bryce Hall, second year man this unit has potential as is with Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols as the other starters. Depth in Isaiah Dunn, Jason Pinnock and special teams ace Justin Hardee. They also signed rookie corner Rachad Wildgoose off the Buffalo Bills practice squad, has potential of being an intricate role player moving forward. This position is set, if anything it is a luxury position if the Jets find someone they must have.
The real state of the defense lies in the linebacking group. CJ Mosley, Jarrad Davis, Blake Cashman are the veterans and of the three only one has any real importance but his contract to play states otherwise. One was given a shot to prove he is not a bust and the other can not stay on the field long enough to be effective. The team drafted two safeties converted them to linebacker. Jamien Sherwood unfortunately is out for the season, but Hamsah Nasirildeen has seen action and has been steadily improving over the last few weeks. The NEED is at this position and not just one role.
The other position of luxury comes across the defensive line. There are two positions that have an opening through the draft to select a developmental options. There are free agent targets that also can solve this mystery. And there are in house options to be re-signed. The actual breakdown on playing time is where they want it to be, but the communication between the defensive line and the linebackers has been missing which has led to a lot of miscues to where the production has been non existent. Changes will have to be made, players will move on other players may be signed and/or drafted but there is no actual NEED here.
Second Round: Four Options at Linebacker:
Defensive line is not that far off. Injuries derailed the pressure but the potential is there. Bryce Huff should be more of the immediate future. Carl Lawson injury hurts but opens the door for others to step in and contribute. Shaq Lawson has done an acceptable job. But the interior has been less than expected. JFM has also proved his capabilities but the consistency is not there from week to week. Will Fatukasi earn a new contract, yet to be seen but he has proven he can excel in this new scheme. Sheperd has also shown flashes. Rankins is under contract for next season and has proven he fits the design but more as a role player. Fix the line, find one or two options either in free agency or the draft. The front seven next year should be unstoppable.
Given a full year of the secondary evolving this defense is on the right trajectory, struggles were always going to be this year because a lot of youth in a new system. Not only learning on the fly but also trying to develop chemistry. Like I said the one stand out that people are down on, is Safety Ashtyn Davis is tied for the lead in forced fumbles (3) with Quincy Williams. He also had his first career interception. He has 38 solo tackles and is 7th on the team in total tackles with 45. Yes he has been accredited with 17 receptions against out of 19 but again miss communication from the front seven leaving him out of place miscued this stat against him. Also blown coverage after Brandin Echols went out with injury he was also gifted those receptions clearly should of went to Guidry for blown assignment. Of the actual 17 (11) were on him which is still a high number but his PFF rating is still acceptable as of RN his rating is 68.8 for the year. Over the last two games with Riley as his running mate, Ashtyn's PFF rating has been good over 76.
In the secondary, the corner position is the youngest around the league and don't play like it. Led by Bryce Hall, second year man this unit has potential as is with Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols as the other starters. Depth in Isaiah Dunn, Jason Pinnock and special teams ace Justin Hardee. They also signed rookie corner Rachad Wildgoose off the Buffalo Bills practice squad, has potential of being an intricate role player moving forward. This position is set, if anything it is a luxury position if the Jets find someone they must have.
The real state of the defense lies in the linebacking group. CJ Mosley, Jarrad Davis, Blake Cashman are the veterans and of the three only one has any real importance but his contract to play states otherwise. One was given a shot to prove he is not a bust and the other can not stay on the field long enough to be effective. The team drafted two safeties converted them to linebacker. Jamien Sherwood unfortunately is out for the season, but Hamsah Nasirildeen has seen action and has been steadily improving over the last few weeks. The NEED is at this position and not just one role.
- MIKE; middle LB/captain of the unit and “gap destroyer” against the run, key “read defender” both pre-snap and at the heart of zone coverages.
- SAM; strongside LB that usually matches up with the tight end in the passing game or the “deep hook” zone, assigned gap defender against the run that may also blitz on occasion.
- WILL; the most “athletic” player in this group is generally the weakside LB, known for his elite open-field tackling on cutbacks and his zone coverage ability in the flats.
The other position of luxury comes across the defensive line. There are two positions that have an opening through the draft to select a developmental options. There are free agent targets that also can solve this mystery. And there are in house options to be re-signed. The actual breakdown on playing time is where they want it to be, but the communication between the defensive line and the linebackers has been missing which has led to a lot of miscues to where the production has been non existent. Changes will have to be made, players will move on other players may be signed and/or drafted but there is no actual NEED here.
Second Round: Four Options at Linebacker:
- Christian Harris, Alabama
- Brandon Smith, Penn State
- Nolan Smith, Georgia
- DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
- Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
- Travis Jones, Connecticut
- Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
- Neil Farrell Jr. Louisiana State
- Ali Gaye, Louisiana State
- Sam Williams, Ole Miss
- Jeffrey Gunter: Coastal Carolina
- Isaiah Thomas: Oklahoma
- Derion Kendrick, Georgia (CB)
- Tre Sterling, Oklahoma State (SAF)
- Jack Jones, Arizona State (CB)
- Markquese Bell, Florida A&M (SAF)
- Avery Young, Rutgers (CB)
- Chase Lucas, Arizona State (CB)
Defensive line is not that far off. Injuries derailed the pressure but the potential is there. Bryce Huff should be more of the immediate future. Carl Lawson injury hurts but opens the door for others to step in and contribute. Shaq Lawson has done an acceptable job. But the interior has been less than expected. JFM has also proved his capabilities but the consistency is not there from week to week. Will Fatukasi earn a new contract, yet to be seen but he has proven he can excel in this new scheme. Sheperd has also shown flashes. Rankins is under contract for next season and has proven he fits the design but more as a role player. Fix the line, find one or two options either in free agency or the draft. The front seven next year should be unstoppable.
Given a full year of the secondary evolving this defense is on the right trajectory, struggles were always going to be this year because a lot of youth in a new system. Not only learning on the fly but also trying to develop chemistry. Like I said the one stand out that people are down on, is Safety Ashtyn Davis is tied for the lead in forced fumbles (3) with Quincy Williams. He also had his first career interception. He has 38 solo tackles and is 7th on the team in total tackles with 45. Yes he has been accredited with 17 receptions against out of 19 but again miss communication from the front seven leaving him out of place miscued this stat against him. Also blown coverage after Brandin Echols went out with injury he was also gifted those receptions clearly should of went to Guidry for blown assignment. Of the actual 17 (11) were on him which is still a high number but his PFF rating is still acceptable as of RN his rating is 68.8 for the year. Over the last two games with Riley as his running mate, Ashtyn's PFF rating has been good over 76.
