2. Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB/DE
- 23 Years Old, 6-4, 256 lbs., Round 3 of 2015 NFL Draft
- 2015: 15 G, 1 GS, 4 SK
- Projected 2016: 16 G, 12 GS, 9.5 SK, 3 PD
If there’s one spot of Todd Bowles‘s defense that needs a serious bump in production, it’s the edge.
Second-year player Lorenzo Mauldin is that edge.
Mauldin was only able to get to the quarterback four times in 15 games in 2015. Playing behind the likes of over-the-hill Calvin Pace, it was a serious learning year for the rook.
Now, all bets are off.
Mauldin should start, even in the base, from day one. In fact, he’ll be relied upon to start on the weak edge from the get-go. Where Mauldin will really be heavily leaned on, though, will be when he can pin his ears back and use that speed in getting after the QB.
Look for close to 10 sacks from the Louisivlle product.
The Jets will need it. Muhammad Wilkerson playing the other edge in sub-packages doesn’t present a ton of speed. Mauldin, on the other side, definitely does.
