Jets Must Start To Remodel The Middle Linebacker Position

[jetfuel]

https://nyjetsgreenblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/jets-must-start-to-remodel-the-middle/

With the expected departure of Demario Davis at the ILB position, the Jets need to start planning towards the future in the middle of their defense. Given that David Harris has been a mainstay at the position for the past nine seasons, and that the Jets are trying to bring back Erin Henderson after a solid season with the team, Gang Green could be in much worse shape at Middle Linebacker. The two certainly make for a quality starting duo when compared to a lot of the other teams in the league. But with the battering ram, Harris, starting the 2016 season at the age of 32, and Henderson turning 30 just prior to the season, it is obvious that the team needs to infuse some youth at the position.

The 27-year-old Davis, who was a 3^rd round selection of the Jets in 2012, has never really lived up to expectations in his role on the team. Known for his speed and athleticism coming out of Arkansas State, Demario has often been a liability in coverage, particularly against halfbacks, and even his ability to defend the run has started to slip. This is what led the team to slowly start phasing him out, while working Erin Henderson in, during the 2015 season. The Jets plan on letting Davis test the free agent market and it is not likely that they will be re-signing him when all is said and done in free agency.

One of the best draft picks made by the Jets in the past decade, David Harris has been a solid centerpiece in their defense for all of his nine seasons in the NFL. He has led the team in combined tackles for the past five years, as well as seven of his nine seasons with the team, since being drafted out of Michigan in the 2^nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has stood out as a leader on the unit as well as the entire defense for almost a decade, setting an excellent example for his teammates with his incredible effort and understanding of the game.

Much more of a run defender, Harris does not offer much in the way of pass coverage, which has been a problem with the Jets linebacking corps for quite a while now. Luckily, the team’s safeties have improved dramatically with the addition of Marcus Gilchrist and the emergence of Calvin Pryor in his second year in the league, and they have terrific talent at CB, but finding a linebacker that can cover TE’s and HB’s would be a real plus for the Jets moving forward.

After sitting out the entire 2014 season due to two arrests on DUI and drug charges, which led to him being released by the Minnesota Vikings, Erin Henderson had a strong bounce-back season for the Jets in 2015. With most of his work early on in the season being on special teams, Henderson earned himself more playing time on defense, all but stealing Demario’s spot in the ILB rotation by season’s end. Totaling 112 combined tackles and four sacks for the Vikings during the 2013 season, the Jets are hoping he can return to that form after a year in their defensive scheme. Initial indications are good that they can get a deal done, but time will tell what the market dictates, and even if they do bring him back they are going to need to inject some youth into the group.

The question is: Who are some of the more attractive options available in free agency at the position that are also under the age of 30? Topping the list of potential ILB free agents is the Denver Broncos’ Brandon Marshall. Although it would be confusing having two Brandon Marshalls on the team to say the least, and his price tag may be a bit too much considering the three-year deal they just gave Harris along with their cap situation, Marshall would make a great addition to the mix at middle linebacker. At just 26-years-old, the 2012 5^th round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars really came into his own during the past two seasons with the Broncos. The problem is, just like the other inside backers on the Jets roster, he is not all that gifted in coverage.

Another 2012 draft pick, who also happens to currently be on the Broncos roster, Danny Trevathan would appear to be a nice fit in the Jets defensive scheme. He may also command a cost-prohibitive contract, but if the numbers are right, the Broncos 6^th round pick out of Kentucky would at least somewhat improve the coverage of the Jets linebacking corps. Pro Football Focus ranked the combination of Marshall and Trevathan as the NFL's fifth and sixth best players at their position in 2015. Known more for his coverage ability than his run-stuffing, Trevathan might be the better fit of the two Broncos’ free agents to be.

A little further down the list of free agent options at middle linebacker is the Dallas Cowboys’ Rolando McClain, a 2010 first round pick of the Oakland Raiders. Again, he might present a problem as far as fitting him under the cap, but if they can find a way to get him on the team, McClain might be the perfect complement to Harris and Henderson. One of the better coverage options available at the position, Rolando would fill a glaring need on the team. Although the Raiders do not seem to feel that he is the answer, he would most likely be a nice fit for the Jets.

If they are looking for a more affordable option in free agency, the Jets could consider the Tennessee Titans’ Zach Brown. While his numbers dipped in the 2015 season, after two solid seasons to start his career, Brown is still only 26 years old and a 2012 2^nd round pick from North Carolina with a decent upside if placed in the right system. He is another player with a higher ceiling in pass coverage than in run defending, which might be just what the Jets need given that they already have Harris and hopefully Henderson on board for the 2016 campaign.

In addition to the possibilities that exist in the free agent market, there seems to be a decent crop of inside linebackers available in the top four rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. The highest ranked ILB in the upcoming draft is Alabama’s Reggie Ragland. Standing at 6’2 254 pounds, Ragland is a force to be reckoned with in the middle of a defense. Although he is not thought of as the most outstanding athlete in the group, Reggie is a consistent and versatile player who recorded 102 tackles (6.5 for a loss), seven pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his senior season for the Crimson Tide. He is expected to be chosen anywhere from the middle of the first round to the beginning of the 2^nd.

Projected to be selected at some point in the 2^nd round of the draft, Missouri’s Kentrell Brothers, who had a phenomenal senior year in which he recorded 152 tackles (12 for a loss), two interceptions, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three passes defensed and a blocked punt. Also not recognized as the greatest athlete, Brothers makes up for his ordinary athleticism with his non-stop motor and exceptional instincts, proving to be an excellent run defender during his impressive collegiate career.

Another name worth mentioning as a possible draft pick for the New York Jets in 2016 is Arizona’s Scooby Wright III. Besides having an awesome name, Scooby possesses extraordinary instincts and remarkable awareness in space, making him a significant weapon against the run and getting to the quarterback. In 2014, Wright was the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award due to his sensational play. The one major red flag with Wright is the fact that he missed the majority of the 2015 season due to a surgically-repaired meniscus in his left knee and a considerable foot sprain. Expected to go anywhere from the 2^nd to the 4^th round, Scooby should at least be considered by the Jets, pending a clean bill of health of course.

In the event that they can convince Erin Henderson to come back, the Jets will have a quality starting tandem at ILB, but there is always room for improvement, and getting younger as well as faster at the position would be rather beneficial for 2016 and beyond. Regardless of what happens in negotiations with Henderson, the Jets need to keep an eye on the future of the position. As I said before, it helps tremendously to have a much improved secondary, but they still need to increase their speed and coverage abilities at all of their linebacker spots.

 

[Beerfish]

I like Travathan but super bowl heros always get over paid.

 

One guy that I would like to get is Vincent Rey he looked very good and quit fast in a game I saw from the bengals last year., he will be cheaper than Travathan

[jetfuel]

4 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

I like Travathan but super bowl heros always get over paid.

 

One guy that I would like to get is Vincent Rey he looked very good and quit fast in a game I saw from the bengals last year., he will be cheaper than Travathan

I like Rey, but he is an OLB that is going to be 29 at the start of the season. I'm not saying that they should not give him a look to possibly replace Calvin Pace, but they would still have a hole at ILB.

[drdetroit]

Draft Steve Longa from Rutgers in the 3rd or 4th rd.. He had over a hundred tackles per season at RU and is a gamer.  

[jetfuel]

8 minutes ago, drdetroit said:

Draft Steve Longa from Rutgers in the 3rd or 4th rd.. He had over a hundred tackles per season at RU and is a gamer.  

I'm not saying that I don't like him, but given the fact that he is built more like a safety, he projects to be more of a 4-3 weakside LB in the NFL, and I think he will be around later than that in the draft if they do want to consider him. Although he is a talented player, I'm just not sure he fits the scheme. 

[drdetroit]

23 minutes ago, jetfuel said:

I'm not saying that I don't like him, but given the fact that he is built more like a safety, he projects to be more of a 4-3 weakside LB in the NFL, and I think he will be around later than that in the draft if they do want to consider him. Although he is a talented player, I'm just not sure he fits the scheme. 

I understand what you're saying but he won't need to start right away so he'll have a couple years to put on weight.  

[jetfuel]

14 minutes ago, drdetroit said:

I understand what you're saying but he won't need to start right away so he'll have a couple years to put on weight.  

True, and there have been plenty of examples of guys that didn't seem to fit their role from a size standpoint, who have gone on to have successful careers in the league. If he is still around after the 4th round, and the Jets have not taken an ILB yet, he'd definitely be worth considering.

[Beerfish]

The way the NFL is these days some of these guys don't need to put on as much weight as they used to.  The smaller speed backer is becoming a thing in this league that is for sure.

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

The way the NFL is these days some of these guys don't need to put on as much weight as they used to.  The smaller speed backer is becoming a thing in this league that is for sure.

definitely true ... and I guess taking a flyer on one with a lot of promise, in the late rounds, is certainly worth the risk

[Jet_Engine1]

Draft Scooby Wright. Dude is a badass, and Meniscus Surgery is nothing these days....

[Tinstar]

If this is where we go, then why not Deon Jones  of LSU

[jetscrazey]

My ideal scenario:

1) Tag and trade Wilkerson for a 1st, use it to draft Reggie Ragland, or Jaylon Smith if he falls to us.  With the money saved they might even re-sign Snacks.

2) Resign Erin Henderson for depth

3) Make a free agent play for an edge rusher.  Maybe Demarcus Ware?  Sheldon + Leo + Ware, plus a revamped, speed linebacker corps would be fund to watch.

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, Tinstar said:

If this is where we go, then why not Deon Jones  of LSU

I couldn't mention everyone but he is definitely an option

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, Jet_Engine1 said:

Draft Scooby Wright. Dude is a badass, and Meniscus Surgery is nothing these days....

I am a fan of the Scoobmeister and think he'd be a nice pick .... maybe in the 3rd

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, jetscrazey said:

My ideal scenario:

1) Tag and trade Wilkerson for a 1st, use it to draft Reggie Ragland, or Jaylon Smith if he falls to us.  With the money saved they might even re-sign Snacks.

2) Resign Erin Henderson for depth

3) Make a free agent play for an edge rusher.  Maybe Demarcus Ware?  Sheldon + Leo + Ware, plus a revamped, speed linebacker corps would be fund to watch.

#2 is already in the works as they reached out to him ... hopefully Henderson signs for a reasonable amount. I like your plan a lot ... would be fantastic if they could make that work. I'd rather have Von Miller than Ware, but I know that's unrealistic 

[Ohio State NY Jets fan]

1 hour ago, Tinstar said:

If this is where we go, then why not Deon Jones  of LSU

Good call, I found Deion Jones while doing one of the fanspeak "on the clock" mock drafts, I think he would be a great fit for Bowles Defense

The LB remodel idea is probably why some of the mocks have Darron Lee or Jaylon Smith projected to the Jets in the first round

I think Ragland is more like Harris or Davis and I am not sold on him for the Jets

[jetfuel]

14 minutes ago, Ohio State NY Jets fan said:

Good call, I found Deion Jones while doing one of the fanspeak "on the clock" mock drafts, I think he would be a great fit for Bowles Defense

The LB remodel idea is probably why some of the mocks have Darron Lee or Jaylon Smith projected to the Jets in the first round

I think Ragland is more like Harris or Davis and I am not sold on him for the Jets

I don't think I'd pick Ragland, but only because he is almost sure to go in 1st round. I'd take him if he slipped to 2nd though, which is highly unlikely. I'd rather go OLB or OT in first, of course depending on who's still available at pick #20.

[SenorGato]

I like Zac Brown in FA and Cravens, Lee, or Jones in the draft for this team. Brown is more in the price range and is probably the fastest guy in the FA bunch anyway, and Lee/Cravens/Jones offer a more pass oriented skill set than the Jets' current LBs.