Here it is: 33 free agent linebackers stacked up from best to worst. Let’s start with the coverage leaderboard. Flipping the coin, here is a look at the run defense leaderboard.
Here is how the group stacked up in terms of pass-rushing. I listed the total number of pass-rush snaps for each player to give some perspective on how often they actually went after the quarterback, since there is a ton of variation across the league in how often linebackers are used in this phase. Finally, here is how the group stacks up when we bring everything together. Also shown are the snap totals for each player in every phase (snaps in coverage, snaps against the run, and snaps rushing the passer), and the percentage of their snaps that came in each phase. To get the final score, the three overall grades are weighted according to the snap distribution percentages.
Takeaways Denzel Perryman could be the steal of the market Perryman did not play much in 2020, handling a situational role as he averaged only 24.4 snaps per game, but he was phenomenal when out there. In coverage, Perryman gave up just 85 yards over 21 targets and 158 cover snaps for absurdly good averages of 4.0 yards per target and 0.54 yards per cover snap. Against the run, Perryman recorded 17 stops over just 146 snaps, a rate of 11.6% that ranked second-best among linebackers with at least 100 snaps as a run defender. Over his first five seasons from 2015-19, Perryman handled a similar amount of playing time and was not quite as good as he was in 2020, but he was still very solid for the most part, so it’s not as if he went from zero-to-hero. From 2015-19, Perryman’s run stop rate was an otherworldly 12.1%, even better than his 2020 mark. He was decent in coverage, allowing 0.96 yards per target, dead-on with the 2020 positional average. Perhaps the 2015 second-round pick is a late bloomer. Perryman fits what the Jets are looking for. They need a pair of speedy, rangy ‘backers who can line up on either side of C.J. Mosley (presumably the team’s every-down middle linebacker) in a 4-3 base. Perryman checks the box. He primarily played WILL (weak-side) linebacker in Los Angeles’ 4-3 defense under Gus Bradley, who is a Pete Carroll disciple just like Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich. Bradley, Saleh, and Ulbrich were all together in Seattle for the 2011 season. Nicholas Morrow is a highly intriguing target Entering March as a 25-year-old unrestricted free agent and coming off of a 2020 season in which he covered at an elite level after being promoted to a starting role late in the year, Morrow could fetch himself a hefty deal in March. Morrow allowed 265 yards on 51 targets and 411 cover snaps in 2020, superb averages of 5.0 yards per target and 0.64 yards per cover snap. Over the first nine weeks of the season, he played about 43% of the snaps on average (save for two starts in relief), but he became a starter in Week 10 and played nearly every snap in his final six appearances of the season. From Weeks 10-17, Morrow’s 75.9 coverage grade at PFF ranked fourth-best among 70 linebackers with at least 100 cover snaps. Under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, Morrow played WILL linebacker in Las Vegas’ 4-3 defense. Jayon Brown provides great coverage ability on a starter volume Playing nearly every defensive snap (97% on average) for the Titans over his first nine starts of 2020 prior to a season-ending elbow injury in his 10th, Brown is one of the free agent market’s best full-time linebackers in coverage. In 2020, Brown ranked at the 89th percentile among qualified linebackers in PFF’s coverage grade (73.5) and the 62nd percentile in yards per cover snap (0.62). Brown’s 2020 coverage was no fluke, either. In 2019 he had a 73.0 coverage grade, good enough for the 83rd percentile at the position. In 2018, his 84.6 grade ranked fourth-best. This level of consistency makes Brown one of the safest options on the market, immensely raising his value. Over 231 career targets and 1,668 career cover snaps, Brown has allowed only 1,394 yards (6.0 per target and 0.84 per cover snap). He’s given up only four touchdowns – that’s a touchdown on 1.7% of targets, less than half of the 2020 positional average (4.1%). In addition, that gives him an average of one touchdown allowed every 417.0 snaps in coverage, more than double the 2020 positional average (187.1). Kevin Pierre-Louis, Malcolm Smith offer veteran stopgap options Neither is an every-down player at this stage of their career, but both Pierre-Louis and Smith were highly effective in coverage this past season as situational WILL linebackers in a 4-3 base defense. Pierre-Louis’ 83.9 PFF coverage grade ranked fifth-best among 102 qualified linebackers (96th percentile), while Smith’s 79.0 coverage grade ranked seventh-best (94th percentile). Both played just under 40 snaps per game. A former Jet, having a cup of tea with nine games and only 36 defensive snaps for New York in 2018, Pierre-Louis was a fantastic cover man in 2019 as well. As a member of the Bears, Pierre-Louis logged a 91.0 coverage grade over 118 coverage snaps, second-best among qualified linebackers. Over 21 targets in his direction, he allowed only three first downs (14.3% rate) and 82 yards (3.9 per target). On the younger side, Alex Anzalone (26.9 on Sept. 1) and Jarrad Davis (26.8) are smaller-role linebackers who thrived in coverage last year, posting coverage scores of 87.6 and 77.2 on our leaderboard, respectively. Not much to like with Harvey Langi Langi is a solid special-teamer (just refer back to my tracking of the Jets’ return team blocking assists in 2019), has a great story, plays extremely hard, and is capable of some flashy highlights, but overall, he’s just not a good defensive player at this stage. He placed no higher than the 32nd percentile in any of the six stats used in this study. Tackling was a big issue for him. His missed tackle rate of 16.1% tied for 11th-worst among 102 qualifiers. Neville Hewitt likely isn’t a fit Hewitt is a powerful hitter who has his moments against the run, but he likely doesn’t have the necessary athleticism, range, and coverage ability to play outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Of the 33 free agents on our list, Hewitt’s overall coverage score ranked 23rd as he placed at the 44th percentile in PFF’s coverage grade (55.3) and the 48th percentile in yards per cover snap (0.96). He was at the center of a Jets defense that allowed the most receiving yards to tight ends (69.1) and the eighth-most receiving yards to running backs (42.1). As unimpressive as they are, Hewitt’s semi-decent coverage numbers in 2020 are actually a massive outlier compared to his first two seasons with the Jets. Hewitt’s 2019 coverage grade (35.9) was sixth-worst among qualifiers at the position while his 2018 coverage grade (30.7) was second-worst. So, even his “breakout” season couldn’t get him into the position’s upper half in terms of coverage. There is a place for Hewitt in the NFL, but he is not quite a starting-caliber talent, especially in a 4-3 defense that already has its middle linebacker in place (Mosley).
Should the New York Jets target Guard Joe Thuney? I still have Allen Robinson as the #1 free agent target, but Thuney is likely right behind him. He would give us stability to our offensive line and would make a big impact on McGovern and Becton. He isn't Alan Faneca, but it could have a similar impact. What do you guys think?
I would take on Thuney as we are weak at guard and taking a nice piece away from Bill would be the icing on the cake. However, I can’t see JD breaking the bank on a guard when he feels confident in his abilities in drafting offensive lineman. I think we might inquire but ultimately we don’t buck up the cash for him. I want absolutely nothing to do with A Rob. Zero. He’s at an age receivers start loosing their speed and he want his last big pay check. Give me Juju instead who wants to be great and is young and full of juice still. He also has a bit of a chip on his shoulder for being moved inside where he feels he can play outside.
Appreciate you watching my man. Allen Robinson would be great even considering his age, but I would also be very happy with Curtis Samuel as well. Juju is on a lot of lists lately, but I could be convinced that it would make sense. I just really despise his attitude. He says he is just dancing for “fun” but it also seems extremely forced and attention seeking. He is still very young so it could potentially be worth it.
If he had a chip on his shoulder he’d be focusing on improving, not being a tiktok star and distraction. Hard pass on juju.
You maybe sign a guy like Thuney when you are a LG away from being a contender. The Jets aren't even close to that and two years of effective Joe Thuney play won't change that fact, just soak up cap dollars that could be used elsewhere on players more likely to be around for 4 or 5 years.
Joe D was ready to break the bank for Thuney last year before New England franchise tag him so I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he is ready to offer him a ton of money especially considering how much money we have to play with and how you can structure contracts these days. I feel like you have completely confused Allen Robinson and JuJu too. JuJu doesn’t care about anything other than JuJu meanwhile Allen Robinson is a dog. I would take A Rob all day every day and wouldn’t invest any more than one year in JuJu so we aren’t stuck with a guy who hasn’t proven he gives a shit about football. I’d prioritize Samuel over Juju.
I couldn't disagree more. Thuney is exactly the type of FA the Jets should be signing. He is 28. He has plenty of great football left (4-5 years minimum). He would stabilize the interior of that line for half a decade - no matter who the qb is. The Jets G play had been absolute garbage recently. JJ Watt is the type of FA the Jets should avoid, not Thuney.
I think it’s not fair to say Juju only cares about Juju... he accepted and was a good teammate to Claypool taking his outside snaps. Just because the guy likes to dance doesn’t make him self centred. I think he has a high upside where I feel A Rob will be on the decline and we had to overpay
I like JuJu and don't really give a stuff about his dancing tbh, it is hardly anything to get all butt hurt about, A Rob is on the last contract of his career, certainly his last big contract, I don't see him doing a Larry Fitzgerald and going on and on. I doubt he comes here anyways he is looking to win now, maybe if we got Watson he would be persuaded but not going to come for another 3 years of rookie play. I like Samual and Williams from KC
I'm on the fence here. On one hand, he's been durable and played at a high level. On the other hand, Pats OL don't look so good when they go elsewhere. Would we be better off addressing IOL in the draft and letting the unit gel in a year when we're not expected to contend?
Odell Beckham for a 3rd? Here's what a Jets trade for Odell Beckham Jr. would look like Rucker Haringey 53 mins ago The Jets need an upgrade at wide receiver and Odell Beckham is interested in returning to New York. Here's how a trade can actually materialize. © Provided by Fansided Odell Beckham Jr. apparently doesn't buy into the adage that you can't go home again. The current Cleveland Browns wide receiver is reportedly interested in returning to New York. This time, the enigmatic wide receiver is intrigued by the idea of plying his trade with the Jets. According to Sports Illustrated, Beckham views the Jets as an "ideal landing spot" if he is dealt by the Browns this offseason. While the odds are stacked against such a seismic trade taking place, it's still an interesting thought exercise to explore what the deal might look like. Cleveland's interest in offloading Beckham would be two-fold. Firstly, head coach Kevin Stefanski would be sending a message to his roster that distractions will not be permitted. The Browns experienced great success in 2020 without Beckham contributing on the field. It's possible the organization believes they can achieve addition by subtraction by offloading him. There's also the reality that Beckham is set to count for just under $16 million against Cleveland's salary cap in 2021. Sending him to New York could help the Browns address more pressing needs in free agency. From the Jets' perspective, it's simple to understand why they'd be interested in the talented wideout. They desperately need to add a dynamic playmaker to aid whoever their quarterback is going to be next season. For all his faults, Beckham is a guy who attracts a ton of attention from opposing defensive backs. He could help accelerate new coach Robert Salah's rebuild in the Big Apple. The Browns' motivation to clear cap space means they're unlikely to accept this being a player-for-player swap. They would, however, be keenly interested in accepting draft capital in exchange for their prolific wide receiver. Cleveland will likely start negotiations off by trying to get a first-rounder. The Jets would be foolish to accept that offer. They do have an extra first-round selection available this season as a result of the Jamal Adams trade, but that's too much to give up for Beckham. New York should push back by pointing out that Beckham is an expensive player who is coming off a season-ending injury. Browns Get 2021 third round pick, Jets Get Odell Beckham Jr. Fair value for Beckham might be a selection in the middle of Round 2, but the Jets don't have that to offer. Their only selection in Day 2 is the second pick in the round at No. 34 overall. That is too valuable of a pick to give up for Beckham. That should force this potential deal to land with a third-round selection exchanging hands. That might seem like a poor return for Cleveland, but the lion's share of their value in the deal comes with what they can do with the money Beckham was supposed to make moving forward. Flipping Beckham to New York for their third-round pick (No. 66 overall) would represent fair value for both teams. That might permit the Jets to win the press conference, but it's equally likely that Cleveland would win the trade over the long haul.
Beckham is the anti-Douglas and Saleh. There’s a reason he’s going to be on his third team in 4 years despite having tons of talent. No thank you.
There are too many solid WR FA this year to think about giving up picks for OBJ. I would rather have ARob, Golladay, Godwin....
What position can the Jets address before they are ready to address the offensive line or qb? Do you have a 15 year plan in mind?
They can *draft* a LG to be in the 15 year plan. A 28 year old LG is 50/50 to be retired by 31. That is *not* the player you want to start your build with. Not even close.
