In less than a week, the Jets will be back in action with the beginning of training camp. Once the pads go on and the players begin to go after it under the hot summer sun, New York will be one step closer to kicking off what figures to be a promising 2019 season.
Throughout camp, the veterans and incumbent starters will focus on perfecting their craft and getting comfortable with new offensive and defensive schemes. The fringe players will spend training camp and the preseason fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster with the coaching staff keeping a watchful eye over them through it all.
In anticipation of training camp beginning, Jets Wire will break down where New York stands at each position. From positions that are seemingly set in stone to those that will feature plenty of competition, there will be plenty to watch for throughout late July and early August.
Let’s take a look at how the defensive line is shaping up heading into camp.
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
The Starters
There’s not much up for debate when it comes to who will be starting for the Jets on the defensive line in 2019.
Both Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson return at defensive end. Williams heads into this upcoming season with a lot to prove, while Anderson is entering the first year of a three-year deal he signed in March.
Quinnen Williams will assume the starting defensive tackle position once he signs his rookie contract. Steve McLendon, meanwhile, will serve as a top-notch backup and mentor to the Alabama product.
The Backups
With veteran Steve McLendon returning and 2018 draft picks Nathan Shepherd and Foley Fatukasi primed to take the next step under a new coaching staff, the Jets have a solid group of backup defensive linemen.
Fatukasi profiles more as a defensive tackle, but can fill in at defensive end when needed. Shepherd has the skill set to become an impactful rotational lineman, while McLendon is entrenched as New York’s go-to rotational run stuffer.
Fighting For A Spot
Most of the defensive linemen on the Jets’ training camp roster don’t have a lot of experience, but don’t count them out because of that.
Fred Jones, Kyle Phillips, Trevon Sanders and MyQuon Stout are all undrafted free agents that had productive college careers and have the potential to overtake someone for a spot in the rotation. The same goes for Bronson Kaufusi, who has played three NFL seasons but has yet to make much of an impact.
Final Analysis
With Gregg Williams calling the shots, New York’s defensive line has a chance to up its production a great deal in 2019. Williams’ attacking style of play will benefit Leonard Williams, Henry Anderson and Quinnen Williams. Consistent push up front has been hard to come by in recent years, but that could change with a new defensive coordinator and three starters who are hungry to make an impact.
Behind the starters, New York’s defensive line rotation gets interesting. Nathan Shepherd and Foley Fatukasi are Mike Maccagnan draft picks, meaning there’s a chance Joe Douglas could move on from them if he doesn’t like what he sees in training camp. That would open the door for one or two of the aforementioned undrafted free agents to not only make the team, but see playing time.
Unlike some other positions, there is plenty to keep an eye on with the defensive line during training camp. There’s not much to see when it comes to the starters, but there’s plenty of intrigue behind them.
