NY Jets: 10 Defensive Player Options for the Jets

Every since Rex Ryan took over as head coach of the New York Jets, they have had one of the top defenses in the league.

However, they still have flaws in their defense that need to be fixed if they want to seriously compete for a Super Bowl.

There are some options for the Jets this offseason that they need to consider.

Dwight Freeney

The most glaring option for the Jets defensive struggles is their inability to get to the quarterback.

Aaron Maybin was a surprise this year and helped put pressure on the quarterback; however, he is not an every-down player. 

The Jets need a true pass rusher that plays every down. 

Dwight Freeney is a defensive end on a Colts team that is going into a rebuilding stage, so they may be looking to get rid of some veteran players with big contracts. The Jets could make the right offer to help get Freeney on their defensive line.

Dwight Freeney has 102.5 career sacks and 42 forced fumbles in his career.

That is an average of about 11 sacks a season and about 4.5 forced fumbles a season.

Robert Mathis

Another Colts defensive end option that the Jets can look it is Robert Mathis. The reasons are basically exactly the same as Dwight Freeney. Robert Mathis is a free agent.

Mathis has 83.5 total sacks and 39 forced fumbles in his career.

His season average is 9.8 sacks and 4.6 forced fumbles.

Osi Umenyiora

Osi has been a little injury prone, so this is a risky decision, but acquiring Umenyiora could be kind of easy for the Jets. The Giants do not need him, as they have Justin Tuck and the emerging Jason Pierre-Paul, and as we saw this past offseason, Osi wants a new contract. 

If the Jets want to take a shot on him, they will have to pay him.

Osi Umenyiora averages about 9.7 sacks a season and 4.2 forced fumbles.

Aaron Maybin

One of the best stories on the Jets last season was Aaron Maybin.

The former first-round draft pick was cut by his team, the Buffalo Bills, and the Jets took a shot on him. And boy, did it pay off.

Rex Ryan was able to find a way to make this guy a defensive weapon. He was strictly a spot blitzer that would come in for a down and use his speed to disrupt the quarterback. The Jets need to re-sign Maybin and add another pass rusher as well.

In 13 games and limited playing time, Maybin was able to sack the QB six times and force four fumbles. He led the team in sacks.

Cliff Avril

This young defensive end on the Detroit Lions will be a free agent. While he is a crucial part of the Lions defensive attack, they may be more interested in improving other parts of their team.

This will allow the Jets to come in and scoop him up. They could use a consistent pass rusher like Avril on their defensive line.

In 2011, Avril had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Mario Williams

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft will become a free agent, and it will cost a lot to get him. However, he will most likely be worth every penny you spend. His season was cut short this year with a torn pectoral muscle, which will most likely lower his price

Williams can play either defensive end or outside linebacker. He averages 10.3 sacks per season and is entering his prime.

Quinton Coples

The defensive end from North Carolina could be very effective in the Jets 3-4 scheme because of his size. He is 6'6" and 285 pounds and could be a force right away on the Jets defensive line. 

The only problem is that Coples in not the best pass rusher, and that is what the Jets need. One thing the Jets struggled with this season is stopping the outside running game, and Coples could prevent the running game from ever getting to the outside.

The Jets getting Coples depends on how far he will drop in the draft or if the Jets will move up in the draft.

Melvin Ingram

A 6'2", 275-pounder, Ingram will be able to take care of the pass rusging issues that the Jets will have. He will also be effective at stopping the run.

The only issue is that he is not that fast and could struggle when trying to cover a quicker tight end. And covering tight ends has been an issue for the Jets.

Melvin Ingram would immediately improve New York's linebacker unit and give them some youth.

LaRon Landry

The Jets need to improve at the safety position. The safety position, in the Jets' defense, sometimes requires covering of the tight ends. This year, players like Eric Smith and Brodney Pool were ineffective.

LaRon Landry will become a free agent and cost some decent money. However, he is an injury risk, as he ended the last two seasons on the injured reserved list. Landry can lay the wood on some player and give the Jets the identity and attitude they seem to be missing.

If the Jets can acquire a linebacker that can cover tight ends, Landry becomes a perfect fit for the Jets.

Reggie Nelson

The Jets need some more speed in their secondary. Reggie Nelson had a good season for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Nelson makes big plays with interceptions and forced fumbles. With Revis causing quarterbacks to throw the ball to other parts of the field, Nelson's interception numbers and other statistics could increase.