There is no doubt that the 2017 New York Jets will have a new look defense. Adding a Reuben Foster could go a long way for Todd Bowles.

If you were to classify the style of play the New York Jets organization has exhibited over the decades, you would probably come to the conclusion that Gang Green excels when the defense is strong and the running game compliments.

Ground and pound with a nasty-looking D — this has been the successful mindset.

In order to field a formidable defense, the Jets have relied on the contributions of linebackers to stuff the run and apply pressure in the passing game. To be great as a Jets’ linebacker, is to be consistent at the position. Mo Lewis, Marvin Jones, Jonathan Vilma and most recently, David Harris, have provided the Jets with this consistency.

Harris may find himself a casualty to the all-out overhaul that is occurring at Florham Park. If so, he will one day find himself among the elite in the MetLife Ring of Honor, as his play has earned him this right. Harris has done a commendable job since being drafted in 2003, being a defensive leader and helping the Jets advance to two AFC Championship Games.

While Harris led the Jets in tackles for the 2016 season, rookie linebacker Darron Lee was able to compile the second most tackles on the team, could he be the heir apparent if Harris is released? It’s a fair question based on the climate of the team during this past week that saw the departures of Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis.

While other positions carry much more depth in the 2017 NFL Draft, there are impact linebackers that could expedite the remaking of a once feared defense. The Jets received a compensatory third round pick from the NFL, bringing their total to seven selections. With the seven, expect to see the Jets address the linebacker position with a player they can develop.

Here are seven rounds of tackling machines that could turn the Jets into a second coming of the “Sack Exchange”:

Round 1: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

There have been many legendary figures who have paced the sidelines in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Bear Bryant, current head coach, Nick Saban and New York Jets Joe Namath have all added to the lore of the SEC powerhouse.

You could pick any position on the field and find a player that has excelled not only in college, but in the NFL. The school has produced eight Pro Football Hall of Famers, including Namath, who led the Jets to a Super Bowl III win.

Though, you may see the Alabama offense score 50-plus points a game, the team is built on a stout defense. The stingy defense’s trademark has been to put pressure on the quarterback and force mistakes, leading to takeaways.

The 2015 and 2016 Crimson Tide defense utilized a three headed monster to win a National Championship and finish as the runner up in this year’s edition of the big game. Jonathan Allen, Marlon Humphrey and Dick Butkus Award winner, Reuben Foster.

Foster is a ferocious hitter, who is as sure of a tackler as you will find. His speed and athleticism make up for an average response time in the passing game. For the Jets, an ideal inside partner for Darron Lee in the 3-4 defense.

Alternative Pick: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

Round 2: T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

Watt? The last name alone tells you everything you need to know. Work ethic, motivation, on-the-field intelligence and game breaking ability, the little brother will remind you of big brothers, J.J. and Derek. Like J.J., T.J. found his way to Madison to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

T.J. started his collegiate career as a tight end, but playing time was lost to a redshirted season and a pair of knee injuries. When Watt finally got on the field, it was as a linebacker, a position where he would become a second-team All American. Think Tedy Bruschi, but in a New York Jets uniform.

In 2016, Watt garnered 63 tackles and 11.5 sacks. His ability to shoot into gaps and create havoc, was a driving force in a season where Wisconsin would play for the Big Ten Championship. His play in the Conference was incredible, as 8.5 of his 11.5 sacks were against in-conference rivals.

Another player to keep an eye on during draft night will be, Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham. If he should fall into the second round, Cunningham would be an ideal fit into Todd Bowles’ system. With 125 tackles in 2016, Cunningham defines “tackling machine.”

Alternative Pick: Charles Harris, LB/DE, Missouri

Round 3 (2 picks): Haason Reddick, LB, Temple and Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

Under head coach Matt Rhule, the Temple Owls seem to become the feel good story each year of his tenure. From beating in-state powerhouse, Penn State for the first time in 74 years to their first bowl game win since 1978, higher expectations were the norm in North Philadelphia.

With Rhule moving on to fix an embattled Baylor program, Haason Reddick will look to follow in the footsteps of NFL players, Muhammad Wilkerson and Taylor Matakevich. Reddick’s talents lie in his ability to fall back into coverage from the linebacker position. His ability to be fluid on the field, will be essential for the undersized Reddick, who will need to add weight to handle the rigors of the NFL season.

Mike Maccagnan was sold on the talents of one Ohio State linebacker last year, could another one to pair with Darron Lee be on the way? Raekwon McMillan, Lee’s former Buckeye teammate, could join his linebacking corp mate once again if he is a choice of Gang Green.

McMillan, like Lee, has that downhill gear that coupled with his on-the-field instincts makes him a tackling force. Raekwon could cook up the consistency that Jets’ brass look for, as in the case of current linebacker, David Harris. If Harris becomes a cap casualty, a Lee-McMillan reunion, isn’t out of the question.

Alternative Pick: Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU

Round 5: Duke Riley, LB, LSU

The SEC does defense normally better than anyone else. The deep-south is known for producing some of the most productive front seven players in the entire NFL. LSU just happens to be one of the best in doing so.

Warren Capone, Marcus Spears and Glenn Dorsey are LSU greats have set the bar for what a Tiger defender should look and play like. Duke Riley fits into this mold. Riley was a standout during the week of the Senior Bowl, his play turned heads as he wore number zero.

The boy who lost his home to Hurricane Katrina and wasn’t sure LSU would offer him a scholarship until a week before signing day, certainly made the most of his collegiate career. In 2016, Riley let the Tigers in tackles, amassing 93 tackles.

Another Senior Bowl standout comes from a different swamp. The Florida Gators’ Alex Anzalone has struggled to provide the consistent in-game production as Riley has. But Anzalone is very athletically gifted and can produce the speed to gobble up running backs while filling the gaps. If Maccagnan can look past the substantial injury history, he may get himself a steal at the end of the third round.

Alternative Pick: Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

Round 6 and 7: Connor Harris, LB, Lindenwood and Riley Bullough, LB, Michigan State

The beauty of the late rounds is you can find talent in the last place you look. While athletes from the money printing larger programs, such as Ohio State and Alabama seem to always grab the headlines. Small schools have always seem to offer these diamonds in the rough that take the NFL by storm.

Whether it be a Mississippi Valley State wide receiver ascent to the pinnacle of the sport or a Jackson State running back breaking rushing records seemingly every year, small schools have given us greatness. Along with Jerry Rice and Walter Payton, greats such as Deacon Jones, Gene Upshaw and Chuck Bednarik not only defied odds, they became legends.

Lindenwood University’s Connor Harris seems to be the next small school hero to turn heads. During the 2016 season, Harris became the NCAA’s all-time leading tackler with 565. With ideal size and speed, Harris could be a player the Jets take a flier on to potentially fill a role in the future. Harris is the quintessential low risk, high reward player.

The NFL can never have enough Big Ten linebackers, and Riley Bullough fits that prototype. Bullough was able to play in all four years at Michigan State, becoming a focal point of the defense during the 2015 season, when he was able to provide 75 tackles. A few injuries during the 2016 campaign, Bullough will need a strong combine for late round consideration.

Alternative Picks: Harvey Langi, LB, BYU and Hardy Nickerson, LB, Illinois