With the NFLPA player reps officially approving the NFL’s proposal and training camp just a short ways away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.
The Jets did little to address the team’s long-standing issue at the pass-rushing position. While New York was able to bring back Jordan Jenkins on a team-friendly deal after the best season of his career and Tarell Basham has shown flashes of potential, the unit lacks depth. The Jets are going to have to get creative in terms of getting after the quarterback in 2020 considering the limitations the outside linebacker room currently has.
As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s breakdown the outside linebacker room at One Jets Drive.
The Starters
Jenkins is back in the fold to lead the group. His free agent market never really took off and while it may have been a letdown for the fifth-year pass-rusher, the Jets welcomed him back with open arms.
Jenkins has been New York’s steadiest presence on the edge. He led the team with eight sacks in 2019, adding 32 tackles, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, nine tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. Entering another contract year, Jenkins could play himself into a contract extension if he is able to steadily improve his sack production again.
Depth
A handful of players will compete for the starting job opposite Jenkins.
Basham is a favorite for more playing time in 2020, if not the second starting job. In his first full season in New York, he was a versatile playmaker but contributed the most at outside linebacker, where he registered 18 tackles, two sacks, six passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery.
A pair of rookies will get a chance to take snaps away from Basham, though.
The Jets have high expectations for Jabari Zuniga, one of the team’s third-round picks in April’s draft. While the University of Florida product could play on the defensive line or at outside linebacker, there’s certainly less depth in the OLB room. Bryce Huff is the other rookie in the mix. The Jets guaranteed him the most money out of any of their undrafted free agents, a sign that he’ll get a chance to stick around. While Huff may be a bit undersized for his position, he has a nose for getting after the quarterback. Last season at Memphis, Huff ranked fourth in the nation among pass-rushers with 64 total pressures.
Among the other players competing for jobs on the outside are Harvey Langi, Frankie Luvu, Ahmad Gooden and Wyatt Ray.
Outlook
While Jenkins and Basham aren’t the most formidable tandem, they should be able to get after quarterbacks with some regularity considering how strong the Jets defensive line currently is. Another year of working under Gregg Williams and the Jets should finally see some consistency at the position.
As for the depth, the talent is there, but right now players like Langi, Luvu and Gooden are best suited as situational pass-rushers. For young edge rushers like Zuniga and Huff, there’s a real opportunity for them to push both Jenkins and Basham for playing time in 2020.
See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series: