To fill the void left by Avery Williamson, the Jets signed veteran LB Albert McClellan on Saturday.
Late in the second quarter of the Jets’ preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Williamson tore the ACL in his right knee after colliding with teammate Tevaughn Campbell. The Jets have big shoes to fill with Williamson done for the year, and the team will look to Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt and now McClellan to fill the vacant slot next to C.J. Mosley at inside linebacker.
With that said, let’s get to know McClellan, the Jets’ latest addition at linebacker.
Winning Pedigree
Albert McClellan’s first opportunity to start for the Baltimore Ravens was in 2012. McClellan started 11 games that season and the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII.
Joe Douglas Connection
When in need of a solution at inside linebacker, Joe Douglas turned to his past roots for help.
Douglas spent time in the Baltimore Ravens scouting department from 2000-15. During his tenure, he was part of a front office that brought in McClellan as a UDFA out of Marshall University.
With Douglas reaching into his Baltimore past, the Jets know that they’re getting a solid depth piece who can play a huge role on special teams.
Special Teams Ace
In Albert McClellan, the Jets are getting someone who can make an immediate contribution on special teams.
He has a lot of experience on special teams, playing 1,580 snaps over the past five seasons. Last year Pro Football Focus gave McClellan the highest special teams grade in the NFL among players with over 100 snaps.
McClellan blocked two punts against Adam Gase’s Dolphins back in Week 14 of the 2018 season. He also recovered a muffed punt during the Patriots divisional-round win against the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2018 playoffs.
College Standout
Playing his college ball at Marshall University from 2005-09, Albert McClellan was a special player but didn’t exactly have NFL teams knocking on the door.
McClellan was a three-time All-Conference USA selection at Marshall, as well as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He tore his ACL during the 2007 season, which took him off the radar of some NFL teams. He went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft, but Joe Douglas’ Ravens took a flier on him.
