Lack Of True Edge Rusher
Looking strictly at the personnel up front — with the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams — the average onlooker would believe this Jets front can do serious damage with the pass rush.
There’s just one little problem: there is no speed rusher on the outside.
Offenses can pinch the offensive line to a point that it becomes a desperate struggle in getting to the QB. To get all three beasts on the field at once, Big Mo lines up on the edge. To get all four beasts in the game at once (Steve McLendon), Sheldon lines up on the other edge.
This is simply too much beef without enough speed.
Offenses rarely need to pay extra attention to either tackle side. Wilkerson and Richardson are far better pass rushers when they’re out-quicking a guard instead of out-powering a tackle.
For this to be remedied, either Lorenzo Mauldin and/or Jordan Jenkins need to step up when put on the edge.
