As Huff Exits, Interior Gets a Facelift
Fresh off his breakout campaign last season, Bryce Huff departed in free agency and joined the Eagles reportedly on a three-year deal with $34.4 guaranteed. In 37 games from 2020-22, Huff totaled 7.5 sacks, 7 TFL and 22 QB hits. But playing 17 games and appearing in 480 snaps (42%), he transitioned to another level with 10 sacks, 10 TFL and 21 QB hits.
The Jets have Will McDonald, selected No. 15 overall last April, waiting in the wings. He racked up 3 sacks, 4 TFL and 5 QB hits over 184 defensive snaps (19%) in Year 1. That’s a small sample size and doesn’t mean McDonald will immediately move to an 8-sack performer with similar snaps Huff received, but the 6-3, 241-pound defender is a freaky athletic talent who will have an opportunity to shine in this system.
McDonald needs to look no further than Jermaine Johnson for motivation. In 14 games his rookie season, Johnson had 2.5 sacks, 3 TFL and 5 QB hits while lining up in 312 defensive snaps (34%). Johnson, the No. 26 overall selection in 2022, took a gigantic sophomore leap with 7.5 sacks, 11 TFL and 16 QB hits (including a pick-6 at Cleveland) while increasing his play total to 748 (66%).
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported the Jets will host edge Jadeveon Clowney for an upcoming visit on Tuesday. In a full season with the Ravens, Clowney tied a career-high with 9.5 sacks and had 19 QB hits. He was on the field for 57% of the Ravens’ snaps and his play total of 654 was only eclipsed by two Jets, DT Quinnen Williams (779) and Johnson.
The Jets have gotten significantly younger around their superstar DT Williams. Former Cardinals DT Leki Fotu (6-5, 334) figures to step into the Al Woods’ (6-4, 309) role as the space-eater. Fotu, who had a career-high 2.5 sacks and 28 tackles in 298 snaps (40%) last season in Arizona, is a former rugby player with power and good movement, plus he’s 12 years younger than Woods (37).
Former 49ers first-round pick Javon Kinlaw (6-5, 319) is set to reunite with Robert Saleh. He has exceptional length and took strides last season with a career-high 3.5 sacks , 4 TFL and 6 QB hits. His arrival coincided with Quinton Jefferson (6-4, 291), whose personal-best 6 sacks were third on the Jets in 2023, moving on to Cleveland. Jefferson’s 469 snaps (49%) were his fewest in six seasons and yet the production speaks to the Jets’ DL rotation and Williams’ dominance.
A Solomon Thomas re-signing would also make sense considering his motor and scheme familiarity. In 17 games and 484 snaps last season, Thomas had a career-high 5 sacks.
Corey Davis Set to Return to the NFL
On Thursday, the Jets released WR Corey Davis from the reserve/retired list and he became a free agent. Davis, whose 70% snap total in 2022 was his lowest in 6 NFL seasons, has averaged 14.2 yards a catch in his career and 72% of his receptions (197 of 273) have gone for first downs. He is a big-bodied target who is a physical presence in the run game. Like Davis, Mike Williams is a former first-round pick searching for his next contract. Williams (6-4, 218), the No. 7 overall selection out of Clemson in 2017, will be returning from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 3 last season vs. Minnesota. In 88 games, the former Charger has averaged 15.6 yards on his 309 receptions with 31 TDs. Odell Beckham Jr., whose 50% snap share in Baltimore last season was a career low, has 566 career grabs and 59 TDs. Tyler Boyd, a model of consistency in Cincinnati who lined up in 824 offensive plays last season, has an even 6,000 yards receiving on 513 catches. The big slot (6-2, 203) averaged 64 receptions from 2021-23 while amassing 12 TDs.
