New York Jets: Mid-Season Grades are In
Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets linebacker David Harris (52) and defensive end
Leger Douzable(78) force a fumble by Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Andrew Luck(12) in the second quarter of an NFL football game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers: B-
Statistical Leader: David Harris, 55 tackles (37 solo), 2 sacks
A move that the New York Jets made in the offseason that didn’t get much attention was resigning David “Hitman” Harris. Harris is the team’s leading tackler yet again, with Demario Davis not too far behind. Davis has put up 46 tackles (30 solo). In limited playing time, Calvin Pace has added two sacks of his own, and Lorenzo Mauldin posted his first two career sacks last week, exciting fans as that potential edge rusher the Jets haven’t had in years.
The linebackers are a big part of the team ranking first in run defense, but they are also a part of the team ranking only 15th in pass defense. David Harris has been better, with a 1.7 Pro Football Focus grade in coverage, but the group as a whole has had difficulty staying with receivers coming into the second level with their routes.
Next: Defensive Backs