The New York Jets feel good about their starting edge rushers. Former first round pick Will McDonald is coming off his first career double digit sack season and looks poised to establish himself as one of the NFL’s premier rushers, while Jermaine Johnson is back from an Achilles tear healthy and ready to rush the quarterback once more.
But after that, the Jets defensive line depth is uninspiring. That’s why Jets‘ blogger Michael Nania is calling for a reunion with a former member of Gang Green.
An unfortunate ACL tear prevented Carl Lawson from living up to his three-year, $45 million deal with the Jets. He seemed to be on his way out of the NFL after a dismal 2023 season, but in 2024, Lawson underwent a resurgence with the Cowboys,” Nania wrote.
Carl Lawson became an underrated rotation piece on the Dallas Cowboys defense last season. Appearing in nearly every single game and making a few spot starts, the edge rusher recorded five quarterback sacks and 15 quarterback hits. The 30-year-old was credited with nearly 30 pressures and finished the season with a very respectable 64.8 pass rush grade.
The Jets can probably snag him for a cheaper price tag, and he would still provide a major upgrade over the Jets’ current second-string edge rushers,” Nania continues. Lawson had more sacks in 2024 than Clemons, McGregor, and Baron have in their NFL careers.
As a run defender, Lawson is nothing special, but he has always been viewed as about league-average, which, again, is still an upgrade for the Jets.
New York’s Depth Pieces On The Defensive Line
Even during the dog days, the Jets‘ defensive line was usually considered a strength of the team. It is unclear whether they will be able to say that this season.
Quinnen Williams is still one of the best interior defensive lineman on Earth, and the Harrison Phillips trade made sense. But behind them sits a seventh round pick in Javon Briggs and a fifth-year tackle in Jay Tufele who is yet to record a full sack in his career.
On the edge it is Michael Clemons who will be playing a great deal of snaps while Johnson continues to get back to full health. I believe he will actually continue to build off a career year last season, but ultimately has more penalties than sacks in his career.
The other to back up defensive ends are a fifth round rookie in Tyler Baron and a second year UDFA in Braiden McGregor who are, once again, both looking for their first sack in the NFL.
As previously stated, this crew is uninspiring.
Other Free Agent Edge Rushers
There’s two big fish out there waiting for their phone’s to ring with the right number, and thats Za’Darius Smith and Jedeveon Clowney.
Other notable unsigned rushers include former Steeler and long time Packer, Preston Smith. His 70.5 sacks puts him near the top of the league in active sack getters.
Additionally, Shaq Barrett could provide some help. He is coming off injury and had been steadily declining every year, but in a room full of rookies getting a player who once posted a 20 sack season isn’t too crazy.
Jets Should Consider Reunion With Former $45 Million Edge Rusher