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Potential Offseason Additions for New York Jets: Defensive Line

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By @GregSulik

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The New York Jets have problems nearly everywhere on the field, but their defensive line is the one advantage they have over almost every other team in the NFL. Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Damon Harrison make for an outstanding group of players, and the Jets are thrilled to have them. However, Harrison is set to be a restricted free agent, so there could be some changes here this offseason.

Free Agents

Now that the Jets have hired Todd Bowles as head coach, we know they will be running a 3-4 scheme and won’t need to add a pass rushing end (they’ll be targeting a linebacker for that job). Obviously the team is all set at end, but they need to make a decision on Harrison. It would be a big surprise if the Jets let their run-stuffing nose tackle get away, but anything is possible.

If they were to lose Harrison, Dan Williams of the Arizona Cardinals would probably be high on the list of replacements due to familiarity with Bowles. Terrence Cody, B.J. Raji, and Ahtyba Rubin would all be solid fits for the scheme and offer run stopping ability as well. Realistically, however, the Jets are going to make sure they bring Harrison back.

The other free agent on the defensive line is Leger Douzable, who has been the only backup at end the last two seasons. He will probably be retained as well, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Jets add more depth here. Tim Jamison is someone new GM Mike Maccagnan is familiar with and could be a candidate. However, if the Jets want to add competition for Douzable it makes more sense to do it through the draft.

Draft

If the Jets do use a draft pick on the defensive line, it won’t be before the fifth or sixth round simply because they have so many other pressing needs. With T.J. Barnes as a promising reserve nose tackle, any late pick would most likely be used on an end to offer more depth behind Wilkerson and Richardson.

Henry Anderson of Stanford could be a nice option in the fifth round range, as he is a well rounded player who recorded 8.5 sacks this season. If they wait till later, Ray Drew, Brian Mihalik, and Ryan Russell could all be fits. Drew is a good run stopper, Russell is a balanced player, and Mihalik is a behemoth (6’9″, 295 lbs) with potential.

All the Jets are likely to do on the defensive line this offseason is tinker with the reserves, assuming they do the smart thing and get Harrison locked down. There shouldn’t be anything particularly interesting happening here, but there doesn’t need to be. The Jets are facing a huge rebuilding project, but the defensive line isn’t part of it.

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter@GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

Previously: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Offensive Line

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