The Jets had 99 problems in 2020, and pass rush was definitely one of them. Despite (or perhaps because of) Gregg Williams’ aggressive concepts, Gang Green had just 31 sacks and 141 total pressures. New head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will put forth smarter concepts, and they’ll have a real fireplug to help carry them out — former Bengals edge defender Carl Lawson. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Lawson has agreed to terms on a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
The numbers are a bit steep, but the Jets have the cap space, and they could do a whole lot worse.
The Bengals’ defense was a schematic disaster under defensive coordinator Lou Anaromo over the last two seasons, especially when it comes to coverage, but Lawson didn’t let that affect his pass-rush abilities. Last season, in 16 games and 11 starts, Lawson put up 3.5 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, 34 quarterback hurries, 20 stops, and two forced fumbles.
Lawson has all the tools you want in an edge-rusher. He can bend the edge and “dip-and-rip” to the pocket, he’s very good at converting speed to power when it’s time to bull-rush a tackle, and as he showed in this Week 15 sack of Ben Roethlisberger against Alejandro Villanueva, he’s got an inside counter that’s very tough to deal with.
Oh… and if you want an edge-rusher with ridiculous upper-body strength, here’s Lawson throwing Eagles left tackle Jason Peters aside with one hand to get to Carson Wentz.
Given his skill set and his pressure numbers in a dysfunctional defense, don’t be surprised if Lawson is a double-digit sack artist in Saleh’s system.