With their second pick of the third round, the Jets elected to double-dip on defense.
New York selected Jabari Zuniga to add much-needed depth at the edge rusher position. They’re hoping that this University of Florida pass-rusher can right the wrongs of the last one that was drafted by Gang Green. In Zuniga, the Jets are getting an explosive athlete who has been flashing since his freshman season at Florida but failed to stay healthy last season.
Zuniga’s monstrous start to his senior season was derailed by a high-ankle sprain. He came out of the gate strong early, adding 14 tackles, seven for loss and three sacks in just six games. The Jets are hoping with this pick that they can hit on Zungia’s potential.
With that said, let’s get to know the Jets’ newest addition to the defensive line. Here are four things to know about Zuniga.
Basketball Background
Jabari Zuniga was a basketball player growing up, following in the footsteps of his father, Carlos, who played basketball at Tulane University.
Zuniga played just one season of high school football and had a significant growth spurt, allowing for him to become a touted SEC prospect.
Injury Concerns
For all the explosiveness that Jabari Zuniga brings off the edge, he has some trouble staying on the field.
He showed some big-time potential as a junior at the University of Florida with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. However, an ankle injury limited him to just six games in 2019. He showed promise in his freshman and junior campaigns, but couldn’t stay on the field due to various injuries during his sophomore and senior seasons.
Those injuries obviously contributed to his draft slot. However, he believes the Jets got themselves “a stud.”
“I definitely consider myself the steal of the draft,” he said.
Positional Versatility
Teams were split on what position Jabari Zuniga falls under at the next level. In a call with Jets’ reporters following his selection, Zuniga touted himself as a versatile defensive lineman.
At the next level, Zuniga can either play edge rusher or defensive end, but that’s for Gregg Williams to decide. He played inside and outside at Florida, but never served as a standing edge rusher, which some teams view to be his best fit. While most draft pundits ultimately felt like Zuniga would end up as a 4-3 defensive end, the Jets obviously see Zuniga’s best position at the next level as a 3-4 edge rusher.
“I feel like I’m a versatile player, I want to show that I can rush from the 3-technique, I can rush and play the run from a 4i, a 5, a 9, you know, wherever,” Zuniga told reporters at the Senior Bowl. “I think it’s very important [to be versatile] because in the NFL you have teams that are 4-3, 3-4, you have teams that are bringing different packages, so just to have that on film I do feel is super important.”
Florida Connection
Unfortunately for Jabari Zuniga, he will be compared to his former teammate, Jachai Polite.
While the comparisons may be unfair and lacking merit, Zuniga and Polite are both Florida edge rushers who were taken by the Jets in the third round in back-to-back drafts. Polite was infamously waived after a lackluster training camp, which included multiple fines. The Jets grew tired of his act and cut ties with Polite, who was not drafted by Joe Douglas, before he could ever play for them. He is currently on the Los Angeles Rams practice squad.
Zuniga called Polite a buddy of his, but said they didn’t hang out much off the field.
