No. 1, 2, 3, 4 Edge Spots
Will the next New York Jets true edge pass rusher please show yourself?
No. Nobody will show himself and it won’t happen this year, either. Mike Maccagnan had plenty of chances to draft a lottery ticket along the edge this offseason (hello Josh Sweat in the fourth round), but chose to stay away yet again. This means the same faces will be battling for the same spots.
Prediction:
- Jordan Jenkins
- Courtney Upshaw
- Dylan Donahue
- David Bass
- Lorenzo Mauldin
Lorenzo Mauldin may even find himself cut by the time 53 is announced. The kid just cannot stay healthy.
Elsewhere, Jordan Jenkins remains in the top spot by default. While his overall athleticism and pass-rushing attributes are rough to think about, he’s an excellent 3-4 base edge man against the rush. Jenkins starts but two others can be inserted during sub-packages.
By the way, the idea that Jenkins and Darron Lee could swap positions might be the most ludicrous thing written this century. There is no “hidden” edge gem on the roster. In fact, the most talented pass rusher may be Jamal Adams.
Jenkins’ perceived elite pass-coverage skills are only that way due to his position at the edge. If he was forced to play the inside, he’d be destroyed in all facets due to his poor athleticism. Playing the flat versus the hook-to-curl and middle of the two-deep are two very different responsibilities. Consequently, the undersized Lee would also find himself manhandled as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Why Lee works in the middle is due to that sideline-to-sideline speed that’s so valuable.
Jenkins will start with Courtney Upshaw in the base and those two can mix and match with Dylan Donahue, David Bass and possibly Lorenzo Mauldin when it’s time for nickel and dime. Donahue still represents the most upside of all the players here.
Nobody wins this battle. All players are slotted in by default.
No. 3 Interior Defensive Lineman
Leonard Williams is the top interior defensive lineman. Steve McLendon, though he’s the nose tackle, is No. 2.
The Jets need a third man to step up.
Third-round selection Nathan Shepherd is the odds-on favorite, but he’ll have to take out newcomer Henry Anderson and fellow rookie Folorunso Fatukasi.
Prediction:
- Leonard Williams (DE)
- Steve McLendon (NT)
- Nathan Shepherd (DE)
- Henry Anderson (DE)
- Folorunso Fatukasi (NT)
- Xavier Cooper (DE)
It has to be Shepherd. More importantly, it has to Shepherd so Leonard Williams can find himself a little more wiggle room when rushing the passer (as we know help isn’t coming from the outside).
