The New York Jets defensive line still has something to prove a bit, according to Pro Football Focus.
As the football analytics continued their positional group rankings across the NFL, the Jets slotted in right at the average mark of No. 16.
Overall, that earned New York “Tier 3” defensive line status. That is described by PFF as “solid, all-around defensive fronts.”
PFF’s reasoning for the Jets’ placement comes down to something that can be described in one word: Unknowns.
Factored into there are three main players: Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson.
The latter two are easy to see what’s unknown. What will their essential first seasons in New York (Lawson’s due to injury) be like? On Williams, he didn’t exactly take a step forward last season, but the jury is still out.
Here’s PFF’s full breakdown on the Jets defensive line:
The Jets’ defensive line was hamstrung last year by a preseason Carl Lawson‘s injury and Quinnen Williams failing to build on a strong 2020 campaign. It still stands out as a group with potential entering the 2022 season, though.
Lawson’s return from injury is accompanied by the addition of first-round pick Jermaine Johnson II and free-agent acquisition Jacob Martin to the edge defender rotation. Martin earned an above-average pass-rushing grade in “true” pass-rush situations in an expanded role last season for Houston, and Johnson is an edge setter who wins with his length and leverage in the run game.
