The Jets parted ways with their sack leader, traded their most versatile defensive lineman and have yet to practice with their big-name pass-rush acquisition.
That’s not exactly the expected recipe for the best defensive line in the league, an assessment NFL Network video guru Brian Baldinger recently gave the Jets on his “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast.
So why all the fuss?
Let’s start with 2022 first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson, whose technique, pad level and explosiveness have made him a valuable addition to the edge of two-time Pro Bowl tackle Quinnen Williams.
Add in some internal optimism that 2023 first-round draft pick Will McDonald could be another Johnson.
“I’m just trying to be an apex predator,” Johnson said. “Ultimately high levels of power, extremely high levels of finesse, [offensive] Tackles in tight spots. I just want to dominate everything. That’s what’s on my mind.”
The Jets’ defensive core will be the same as last season, returning eight of the nine players who played at least 650 snaps, but the pass rush will look different.
Will it be as effective as it was in 2023, when the Jets ranked second in the NFL by rushing the quarterback on 10.1% of dropbacks despite having the second-lowest blitz rate (16.3)?
Johnson, who, in coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s words, “really can do it all,” could be given the added responsibility of sliding inside to gain speed up the field on third down, much like John Franklin-Myers used to do.
Franklin Myers (14 quarterback hits) went to the Broncos, Bryce Huff (10.5 sacks) and Quinton Jefferson (six sacks) signed with other teams in free agency and Carl Lawson (seven sacks in 2022) remains unsigned.
It’s a clear show of faith for Johnson to move on from a strong sophomore season in which he finished with 7.5 sacks, and perhaps McDonald as well.
“My limits are getting higher and higher,” Johnson said. “I don’t think I’ll ever reach my limit, because when I reach my goal, I just keep going and going and going and going and going. I was taught to keep going until the wheels come off and to make the most of God’s gifts, and that’s my goal.”
The Jets paired Johnson with Haason Reddick in a trade with the Eagles, whose tape was studied by Williams, Huff and Johnson last season.
But Redick (50.5 sacks in the past 66 games) did not show up for the voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
That has had a knock-on effect, giving McDonald more playing time, who saw limited minutes as a rookie, but whose development could determine whether Redick is in the Jets’ long-term plans, as he is in the final year of his contract and is seeking an extension.
“It’s exciting to see him settle in a little bit, focus a little bit and have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in this league,” Ulbrich said of McDonald.
The 6-foot-4, 236-pound McDonald missed two games for health reasons but has played more and recorded 2.5 sacks in his past five games. A deep defensive line that includes Michael Clemons, Solomon Thomas and newcomers Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu likely won’t be able to protect McDonald again if he doesn’t play more.
“He’s gotten stronger,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s a skinny guy. That’s just the way he is. But you can see his strength. He’s built up a little bit, so you don’t see the physical strength.” [in non-contact practices]But I think he had a good offseason. [weeks] It’s big for him, so we’ll see when he gets the pads on.”
It was around this time last year that Johnson’s passions flared because he was dissatisfied with his rookie performance, especially compared to draft classmates Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
“They are [were] “Making big plays for my team. I didn’t feel like I was going to be able to do that,” Johnson said. “I felt like I had to pick up my side of the couch and then I got more playing time and I felt like I was able to maximize my playing time.”
It’s tempting to think that McDonald will follow Johnson’s path and take a breakout role in Year 2, but that’s not guaranteed.
“First-round draft pick, edge rusher, the spotlight is on him and he knows it,” Johnson said. “No one can put pressure on Will but himself. I know he’s worked hard. He looks good. He’s in a good frame of mind right now.”
Once training camp begins, it will be up to Johnson and McDonald to put the departures of Huff, Franklin-Myers, Jefferson and Lawson out of everyone’s minds.
