New York Jets: Defense must lead the way this coming season
If the New York Jets hope to contend for an AFC playoff berth, their defense must step up in a big way in 2018.
The New York Jets got their preseason campaign off to a roaring start with their 17-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Friday. It was an impressive start but it was just exhibition game number one and it would be very easy to overreact about the outcome. However, what it did show to some degree is that if Gang Green is to compete for an AFC playoff berth in 2018, they’ll have to lean heavily on their defensive corps.
No one is saying New York reminds anyone of the 1985 Chicago Bears, one of the best defensive squads in NFL history. However, the Jets defense, led by coordinator Kacy Rodgers, should be significantly improved from a year ago when they ranked 22nd in points allowed (23.9 per game) and 25th in yards given up from scrimmage (352.3 per game).
Why so optimistic? Let us count the ways. First of all, the addition of Trumaine Johnson gives Gang Green a top-notch press corner. Johnson is highly regarded as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league. He’ll team with veteran Morris Claiborne and slot/nickel corner Buster Skrine. Safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye will only get better after solid rookie campaigns last year. Add it all up, and New York should have one of its best secondaries in years and one of the elite defensive backfields in the NFL.
A key to the success of the defensive line will be rookie Nathan Shepherd. The 6-4, 315-pounder was a beast at Division II Fort Hays State but transitioning to the NFL is another story. He looked impressive against the Falcons, displaying power and lateral quickness. If he can use his strength and athleticism to thwart the run and pressure the quarterback, it will help take some of the double-teams away from former Pro Bowler Leonard Williams.
I expect Williams to bounce back in a huge way this coming season. The USC product should at least triple the amount of sacks he recorded last year (two). His career-high was seven in 2016.
Avery Williamson was signed as a free agent to a stellar run-stopping linebacker (replacing Demario Davis) and he’ll team with the improving Darron Lee on the inside. The Jets must get better performances from outside linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin though. They are still looking for that dynamic edge rusher. They’re not easy to find. Outside linebacker David Bass leads all returning players with just 3.5 sacks last season. Vast improvement needs to be made in this area.
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With that being said, Gang Green should perform at a much higher level defensively in 2018. Johnson’s presence cannot be understated. If he can blanket the opposition’s top wide receiver then Rodgers can deploy a variety of blitz packages to pressure and hopefully sack the quarterback. The Jets look solid on the back-end.
If Williams, Shepherd and nose tackle Steve McLendon can control the line of scrimmage then Williamson and Lee will have opportunities to close running lanes. This team still has some growing to do but its potential is clear. If they can remain relatively healthy, New York has an excellent shot at evolving into a top 10 defense.