New York Jets: Predicting top 3 rookie impact players

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after scoring a 36-yard receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Greg Ward Jr. #1 of the Houston Cougars rushes with the ball as Folorunso Fatukasi #93 of the Connecticut Huskies pursues in the first half on September 29, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

1. Foley Fatukasi, DL

The word of the year in 2018 for the New York Jets has to be versatility. It’s not only on the offensive side of the ball with Dimitri Flowers, but it’s also on the defensive side — most specifically the defensive line.

In a recent episode of Buck the Trend, host Dan Essien explored the idea of the Jets mixing in some 4-3 defensive scheme in the vein of Dan Quinn. If that is what the Jets choose to do, then Fatukasi is the right answer for that, because, like Flowers, he’s versatile.

Fatukasi will prove to be a matchup nightmare if they choose to play both odd and even fronts. He strong and athletic enough to play end in a 3-4, and his athleticism would prove to be a matchup issue if he were to play as a 1-technique or 3-technique tackle in the 4-3 front.

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That versatility can help alleviate one major problem the Jets are doomed to face in 2018 — constant double teams of Leonard Williams. Having a guy like Fatukasi could create a pick your poison problem for the opposition, if he can show his strength and athleticism early. Despite being a sixth round pick, Fatukasi has an opportunity in front of him to make an impact and show teams they should’ve considered him earlier.

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