New York Jets: 3 Defensive players to consider in 2018 NFL Free Agency
The New York Jets have a substantial amount of money to spend in 2018 NFL free agency. Here are three defensive players they should consider signing.
It’s that time of the year again. NFL free agency begins on March 14 and the New York Jets have work to do. They have a whopping $90 million in salary cap space so they can afford to shop at Lord and Taylor. Gang Green has a myriad of needs up and down their roster and I’ve already written that they need to sign Kirk Cousins. It’s going to take a boatload of money to sign him but New York has to be ultra aggressive.
What about the defensive side of the ball? The Jets were smart to cut Muhammad Wilkerson. That’s addition by subtraction. They need upgrades on the defensive line and at the linebacker and cornerback positions. General Manager Mike Maccagnan can address some of those needs via the NFL Draft next month but he can really bolster the talent level on his squad by making intelligent free agent signings.
Let’s take a look at three free agnet defensive players he should consider adding to his roster:
3. Adrian Clayborn
I would have recommended that the Jets sign either Demarcus Lawrence or Ziggy Ansah but Ansah was franchise tagged by Detroit and Lawrence was tagged with the Dallas Cowboys as well. That leads us to Clayborn, a 29-year old defensive end. The seven-year NFL veteran played the last three seasons with the Falcons and recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks for the Birds in 2017. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two, including one that he returned for a touchdown.
Gang Green needs a dynamic edge rusher. John Abraham was their last premier one and he last played for New York 13 years ago. Clayborn is not as pure a pass rusher as Abraham but he possesses a quick burst off the snap. He registered six sacks against the Cowboys in one contest and is also known as a top-notch run stuffer with his 6-3, 281-pound frame.
A former first round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs (20th overall) in 2011, the University of Iowa product is durable as well. He’s missed only three games the last three seasons, including none last year. Clayborn’s combination of pass rushing and run stopping skills should have the Jets taking a serious look at bringing him onboard for the 2018 campaign.