In the wake of Carl Lawson‘s season-ending Achilles tear, the Jets are on the lookout for pass rushing help, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The club will surely scour the free agent market, which will continue to grow as cuts are made throughout the league, and New York is also exploring trade possibilities.
The loss of Lawson is a significant one for the Jets. The former Bengal inked a three-year, $45MM deal ($30MM guaranteed) in March, and he had performed well in training camp. He notched a modest 5.5 sacks in 2020, but his 32 QB hits were bested only by T.J. Watt, and he appeared primed for a big season in head coach Robert Saleh‘s 4-3 scheme.
Veterans Vinny Curry and Ronald Blair could help fill the void, but Blair has not played since Week 9 of the 2019 season due to an ACL tear and subsequent complications. He is now dealing with a hamstring ailment, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, while Curry is entering his age-33 season and has been primarily utilized as a rotational piece throughout his career.
Behind Curry and Blair, there is very little by way of proven edge talent, and the Jets failed to generate much pass rush against the Packers’ backup O-line in last night’s preseason victory. So it’s little wonder that the team is taking a look at outside options.
In terms of free agents, players like Everson Griffen and Olivier Vernon are still available, though Vernon’s own health is very much up in the air. The Jets and Eagles will hold joint practices this week, and Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com suggests that two Philadelphia edge defenders, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat — both of whom are entering their walk years — could be targets for Jets GM and former Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas.
I’m enjoying the irony of the Jets needing pass rush help. They tried their best to trash Leonard Williams but I bet his 11.5 sacks with the Giants look pretty good to them now.
Good for Leonard Williams but he wasn’t a pass rusher for the Jets during his tenure.
Smart coaches utilize all components of a players skill set. Adam Gase couldn’t grasp that concept because he suffered from “I’m the smartest guy in the room” syndrome.
It’s possible the Jets could pick up a pair of Joshes if they trade for Sweat and sign Rosen. The two non-Josh backup QBs they have now have not impressed. The Josh they still have who hasn’t seen the field in a game yet this summer and the available Josh both are familiar with the 49ers system. The Falcons may offer a better opportunity to him, though.
As for edge rushers, I still think Everson Griffen will re-sign with the Vikings. Vernon’s health is a risk. There are a couple free agents who played for Saleh last year in Ziggy Ansah and Dion Jordan, who could be bandaids if they don’t make a trade. They’ll also monitor the waiver wire.
Good points regarding Ansah and Jordan-neither would probably be costly, and that experience could make the transition easier. It is cut and waiver time, so I don’t doubt that the Jets are doing exactly as you suggested.
I don’t see the Eagles trading Sweat. He’s affordable and improving.
I think the point was he was entering his walk year, but you are probably right. I think the Jets are more likely to either pick up a free agent or someone who gets cut either this week or next week.
Texans. Shaq Lawson + Brandin Cooks for Denzel Mims and some mid to late round picks.
Honestly not a terrible trade proposal.
Draft picks are tough to use as trade chips simply because there is no draft order. Helping the team you get a pick(s) from hurts your position potentially- a huge reason why Watson is going nowhere fast for Texans
Sign Clay Mathews? Cheap depth?
They should just sign Everson Griffin to a cheap one year deal. That guy can still get after the QB