Considering the free agent signings (or the lack of solid free agent signings!), it's hard to say which D line area is weaker. Is the DE depth (Clemons, Watts, McGregor, and Weaver) more disastrous than the DT depth (Taylor, Cowart, Nnadi, Mathis, Tufele)? I think that there is some hope based on last year's play that the combination of Cowart and Taylor might be able to improve upon what Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas gave us. But, let's face it, we need to draft both a DT and a DE with starting potential. You might say that Johnson and WMD are fine starters at DE. I would agree if Johnson weren't coming back from major surgery and WMD weren't such a run-down liability. Writers like Nania have pointed out that WMD was close to the worst DE in the NFL last year against the run. Posters on this board have also noted that he will be 26 years old this season and doesn't have a frame to add much more weight. For me, that sounds like asking for ongoing trouble stopping the run at DE this year unless we can draft a well-rounded DE for run downs and bring in WMD as our designated pass rusher. Just as this is a deep year to draft a DT in the middle rounds (i.e., after OT, TE, and WR are taken), it's also a good year to consider drafting (beginning in round 4) a DE who can play run downs better than WMD,
Nice post. Unless and until Glenn accepts the fact that McDonald is a 3rd down rusher only, the jets are in trouble. With featherweights like Sherwood and McDonald in there, the jets can be run on at will. Successful teams don't keep playing guys like McDonald just because of their draft pedigree. They move on. The jets wasted three years trying to convince themselves that #2 overall pick Zach Wilson was a decent NFL QB.
I’m pretty concerned about how good JJ will be coming back from his injury…that’s a brutal injury for a position that relies on quickness and burst. I’m not sure how long it will take JJ to get back to his full potential, or even if he ever will. I think we are weak at DE for sure until proven otherwise. And yes, I also think we need another starting DT next to Q.
Yes, we need to stop fooling ourselves about our early draft choices. Trying to keep optimistic, I tend to give our draft picks the benefit of the doubt initially, based on the understanding that if the picks suck more losing seasons are on the way. But sometimes the incompetence is too extreme to deny (e.g., how many people besides Maccagnan believed in Hackenberg?).
He's a fine pass-rusher, but he's terrible against the run. Let's hope he improves his overall game this season.
It never ceases to amaze me how FAST that defense went backwards. Freakin' shame... They've thoroughly wasted Quinnen Williams. Hell, in a blink he's going to be on the downside. JSMH sometimes...
It'll never happen, but hoping that the jets trade McDonald the week of the draft for a day 2 pick . Maybe his 10 sacks in 2024 will fool some team into ponying up a decent pick. Hey, Bryce Huff had 10 sacks in 2023 , sucked against the run, and the world champ eagles foolishly game him $51M.
And WMD is on a rookie contract, so it’s not completely implausible. If another team offered a second round pick, I would jump at it.
Way better than expected last year considering he was invinsible his 1st year and labeled a bust. Hopefully Corley follows in his footsteps.
Ever since they got rid of Saleh the defense regressed heavy, Saleh is obviously a good defensive coordinator, everything else not so much. And Ulbrich is as useless as useless can be.
I feel like this DT class is very good. The Jets could get a DT in the second round that could probably turn that dline around. The biggest issue (aside from JJ getting hurt) was the interior line and run stuffing. We got exploited in the middle like it was our job. Will McDonald needs to bulk up a bit. I love his craftiness, but he needs to get better at stopping the run, although with JJ back, they probably won't need to lean on him so hard for it.
Douglas really mismanaged the DL and the overall defense in general. None of the DT save Williams is worth a crap, and then he had featherweight DE and ILB.
For a change, both DL and OL are pretty deep this year. I swear, if the Raiders pass on Jeanty and the Jets can bullshit their way into convincing teams they are willing to deal Hall and pick Jeanty, that might gin up some trade back scenarios with Dallas or a couple others. If they can pick up a 1st in 2026 and maybe something in the 2nd or 3rd rounds this year that would be ideal. They could move back and grab a more appropriately slotted player and address both the DL and OL further down. Ahhhh...wishing on a starrr....
