New York Jets: All four linebackers must step up in 2018

The edge rushers are expected to be the ones to get pressure on the quarterback for the New York Jets, but all four linebackers will have to step up in 2018.

The New York Jets play in a 3-4 base defense, and all of their linemen are technically defensive tackles. Both defensive “ends” are truly defensive tackles bookending the line. So, that means the edge rushers playing at outside linebacker are expected to get pressure on the quarterback.

As ESPN’s Rich Cimini pointed out that everything is there for Leonard Williams heading into the 2018 season in terms of him as an individual player. He tells us that Williams has the talent, a good attitude,and the motivation to succeed. He just might be in the right place at the wrong time.

As Cimini wrote:

"Williams, the last man standing from the 2015 defensive line that featured Damon Harrison, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, could be in for a frustrating year unless something changes."

If Williams does face a lot of double-teams, something will have to change. The edge rushers will have to get to the quarterback — which they didn’t do much of in 2018 — and the inside linebackers will need to stop the run too.

According to Pro Football Focus Elite, the Jets only recorded 75 pressures from the edge for the entire season. They also made what Pro Football Focus constitutes a stop on 71 occasions. Both groups will have to perform better in order to open things up for Williams.

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Football is the ultimate team game. If you give the option to “pick-your-poison,” they will. However, if there really is no option, then, the defense becomes a dangerous opponent. So, whether it’s the edge rushers getting to the quarterback or the inside guys stopping the run, everyone needs to step up in 2018. If they do, the Jets will see have a playoff run in 2018.