New York Jets: 3 Players to watch in Preseason Week 3

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos loses his helmet as he is hit by inside linebacker Darron Lee #58 of the New York Jets during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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FLORHAM PARK, NJ – AUGUST 07: A New York Jets helmet at NY Jets Practice Facility on August 7, 2011 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

1. Nathan Shepherd

The question lingers on how the Jets will get pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Well, how’d they do it in 2015? Their starting three up front accounted for 20 of the teams 39 sacks in that season. Well, maybe they will have to repeat that performance in 2018.

The difference is that they don’t have two key contributing players from that defensive front. However, they do have a guy who seems to be — at least based on his performance in the preseason — a guy who can be big against the run, and is athletic enough to be a solid pass rusher.

If Shepherd is the guy that he is in the preseason in the regular season, maybe we should adjust our expectations of this group on defense. Maybe Leonard Williams can produce near what Muhammad Wilkerson did in 2015, and Shepherd can produce to the level of Sheldon Richardson. If that’s the case, the edge rusher won’t be needed as much in the pass rush part of the defense, but mostly against the run.

Next. NFL Preseason: Bold predictions for Week 3. dark

If Shepherd and Williams prove to be a formidable tandem, then maybe Williams won’t see as many double-teams as ESPN’s Rich Cimini thought he might before the preseason began. That would open a whole lot for this defense.

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