It’s been a while since the Jets had themselves a dominant pass rusher.
Ever since John Abraham departed in 2006, New York has lacked an elite edge rusher that can consistently get to opposing quarterbacks. Jordan Jenkins came on nicely in 2019, but is set to hit free agency and it remains to be seen if he will be back with the Jets next season.
Who are some pass rushers general manager Joe Douglas and company can target to sole New York’s pass rushing problems? Let’s take a look at eight prime candidates.
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is more of a 3-4 defensive end than a traditional edge rusher, but he is by far the best pass rusher available on the free agent market this offseason.
At only 24, Ngakoue is just entering his prime and has already established himself as one of football’s elite pass rushers. He hasn’t been able to replicate his dominant 12-sack, six forced fumble 2017 pro bowl campaign the last two seasons, but has remained an upper echelon rusher nonetheless.
Ngakoue could be the one to solve New York’s pass rush woes. If you’re going to give any pass rusher a lot of money this offseason, it’s him.
Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney is easily the most mercurial player on this list. He is loaded with potential and can break out for a monster performance at any time, but puts up only modest numbers at best.
The South Carolina product registered only three sacks in 2019 — not the numbers you would expect out of a former No. 1 pick. On the bright side, he forced a career-high four fumbles and is arguably the best run stopping edge rusher in the league.
Clowney is only 27. There is still plenty of time for him to reach his potential. Maybe he can accomplish that in the Big Apple.
Matt Judon
Judon will likely wind up back with the Ravens in 2020, as reports indicate Baltimore will use its franchise tag on the 28-year-old edge rusher if the two sides cannot come to terms on a contract extension before free agency.
If for some reason the Ravens have a change of heart and elect to let Judon walk, the Jets should be all over him. In his first season as a full-time starter, Judon recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Bud Dupree
Dupree abandoned mediocrity and shed the bust label with the Steelers in 2019, posting career-highs in sacks (11.5), forced fumbles (four) and fumble recoveries (two). He also recorded 51 quarterback pressures and 68 tackles.
The Kentucky product is a young, up and coming pass rusher that could do wonders for New York. Pittsburgh will likely do everything in its power to keep him around, but that should not come without competition from Jets and numerous other teams around the league.
Shaquil Barrett
Barrett came out of nowhere to put together a monster 2019 season with a whopping 19.5 sacks, 37 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles. Those numbers should make him the top edge rusher on the market this offseason, right?
Well, there is a certain risk that follows Barrett into free agency. Prior to last season, he only recorded four sacks in five seasons. That begs the question of whether or not Barrett is a one-year wonder worth shelling out big money for.
The Buccaneers are focused on keeping their defensive stars in Tampa Bay, so odds are Barrett will not even hit the open market. If he does, the Jets should show some sort of interest. It can’t hurt to take a risk on a player coming off an incredible year.
Dante Fowler
It feels like Fowler has been linked to the Jets as a possible option coming off the edge for a while. When he was with the Jaguars, New York was often mentioned as a potential trade partner with Jacksonville.
Things never materialized and Fowler wound up going to the Los Angeles Rams. There, he gained valuable postseason experience and posted a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019.
Fowler is line for a nice payday this offseason. The Jets could very well be the ones to give it to him.
Markus Golden
The Giants did not feature many prominent players on defense in 2019, but Golden is one of the few exceptions. The former second-round pick bounced back from a couple of injury riddled seasons to record 72 tackles and 10 sacks in 16 games.
Golden’s injury history makes him a risk, but not a big one considering his production last season.
Vic Beasley
This is where things get interesting. In 2016, Beasley led the league with 15.5 sacks. Since then, he has recorded only 18.
Beasley’s recent struggles are concerning, but he is only 28 and still has a lot of football left in him. He’s a wildcard target, but the Jets could take a chance and hope he finds his way back to the 2016 version of himself.
