New York Jets: Early top 5 free agency targets for 2019

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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is hit by Dante Fowler #56 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Dante Fower Jr., EDGE

Some people may look at both his numbers and say his production isn’t there to warrant a big pay day. When you look at snap counts and compare it to his numbers, the stats tell a different story.

According to the Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he’s generated a pressure on 8.8 percent of the snaps he’s played, and that heavily weighted toward sacks.

Sure, that doesn’t look great on the surface, but look deeper. He’s played in less than half of the total snaps of the Jaguars since being drafted by the team third overall in 2015 (a season lost to injury).

He also has only started one game. In addition to that, the production has improved with the more snaps he’s gotten. Given that he is only 24 years old now, the Jets should be able to expect that trend to continue.

Fowler can’t be the only edge rusher though. The Jets need a tandem of edge rushers so teams can’t key in on one player. Also, having a player like Fowler will open lanes up for Leonard Williams, which can only enhance the pass rush of the Jets.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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