The Jets can find their second outside linebacker from within, from the draft or free agency.
For the most part, the Jets have figured out what their starting defense will look like in 2020. The lone piece of the puzzle that remains a mystery is the second outside linebacker opposite Jordan Jenkins.
The Jets essentially have three options to fill the opening: They can rely on the incumbent collection of starters from 2019, promote one of their rookies from this offseason to starter or bring in a veteran from the remaining free agent pool. Every move comes with pros and cons and there’s no clear answer. The decision will rely on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ ability to build a scheme that makes the most of his players’ strengths.
Somehow, Williams turned a middling unit into a solid one last year. The Jets ranked second in overall run defense and fourth in blitzes per dropback. They couldn’t get to the quarterback, however, and finished 23rd in sacks. That will need to change this season and it starts with finding a second quality outside linebacker.
Jenkins led the Jets on the outside in 2019 with eight sacks, nine tackles for a loss and 13 quarterback hits, but he didn’t have a clear-cut running mate last season. Brandon Copeland looked like the second clear-cut starter heading into the season, but he didn’t play until Week 6 after serving a suspension. The Jets let him walk in free agency.
That left them with the trio of Tarell Basham, Harvey Langi and Frankie Luvu if Williams wants to go with a holdover.
Basham has the best chance based on playing time and potential. The 26-year-old played in 53.71 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps last year and finished with two sacks, 33 combined tackles, one interception, six batted balls and four quarterback hits. Langi and Luvu, meanwhile, played only in 8.86 percent and 6.24 percent of snaps in 2019, respectively. Neither contributed much on defense and mostly played special teams. If Williams looks from within for his starter, Basham is the best bet.
Joe Douglas didn’t go hard in the linebacker department in the draft, either. He took edge rusher Jabari Zuniga in the third round and signed Bryce Huff as an undrafted free agent. Both are raw and probably not Week 1 starters but offer solid potential.
Zuniga is an intriguing prospect given his size and speed on the edge, but he has some catching up to do when it comes to pass-rushing and he was a little injury prone at Florida. After a stellar junior season in which he tallied 6.5 sacks, Zuniga only played in five games with three sacks. He also could be more of a defensive end than outside linebacker with his 6-foot-3, 264-pound frame.
Huff, meanwhile, has a smaller frame at 6-foot-1 and 254 pounds and could struggle against bigger linemen or tight ends. He was prolific at Memphis though with 18 sacks and 39.5 tackles for a loss in three seasons. If Williams uses Zuniga more in sub-package situations on the defensive line, Huff has the inside track to at least compete with Basham for the starting role.
If Williams doesn’t like any of the Jets’ internal players, New York could opt to bring in a free agent with starting experience or trade for a veteran. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned, but he would be far too expensive for his skillset and the Jets don’t have as much interest as initially thought. Other options include Everson Griffin, Ziggy Ansah, Vinny Curry and Nigel Bradham. Jaguars edge Yannick Ngakoue is also on the block but would be very expensive to acquire and then sign to a long-term deal.
Douglas isn’t a big spender – as evidenced by his first free agency as the Jets’ GM – so the most likely path is a combination of incumbent starters and rookies unless he can find a cheap free agent starter. Basham should have the best chance to start Week 1, but rookies Zuniga and Huff could prove viable quickly given their collegiate production. Whichever route Williams and the Jets take will either cap the Jets defense or push it to a new level.
