NFL Rumors: New York Jets Looking at Ravens Free Agent LB Jarret Johnson

It appears that New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan isn't done mining the defensive gold mine that is his former place of employment. 

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Ryan and the Jets are likely to pursue Baltimore Ravens soon-to-be free agent linebacker Jarret Johnson once free agency begins on March 13. 

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The Daily News has learned that the Jets are interested in landing free agent outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, who played six seasons under Ryan in Baltimore. Johnson, who has spent the better part of his nine-year career in the shadows of stars like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata, appears to be an ideal fit for the Jets' scheme.

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Mehta also lists the Indianapolis Colts, who recently hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as head coach, as another landing spot for Johnson. The Ravens are also expected to want Johnson back.

At 30 years old, Johnson isn't exactly the young, explosive pass-rusher the Jets need to re-haul their front seven. However, with 89 straight starts and six years of work under Ryan, Johnson seems to be a logical free agent target for the Jets this offseason.

Mehta quoted Ryan from last September in his article:

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I'll tell you a guy that's underrated is Jarret Johnson. I mean he's had that label forever. We used to laugh about it. He's always a "hard-working, blue-collar guy." Well, that's what he is. He's tougher than heck, and he's a lot more talented than people give him credit for.

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According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson played on 875 snaps but provided just three sacks, seven quarterback hits and five pressures. He graded out negatively in pass rush.

However, he was one of the best run-stuffing linebackers throughout 2011, and he played snaps at both outside and inside linebacker, giving him versatility for whatever way Ryan would want to use in New York.

Also, during Ryan's final year as defensive coordinator in Baltimore (2008), Johnson had five sacks and 31 combined quarterback hits and pressures. He could return to being a more efficient pass-rusher under Ryan in New York.

The Jets got very little from their outside linebackers in 2011, as Bryan Thomas went down early in the season and Calvin Pace was only so-so. Aaron Maybin and Jamaal Westerman combined for 10 sacks in relief of Thomas, but I'm not sure the Jets would be comfortable starting or rotating the two on a consistent basis.

Ryan may also have to deal with the loss of Bart Scott—another Ravens' transplant from his time in Baltimore—as the veteran linebacker has indicated an interest in being traded this offseason. Considering Johnson has experience playing inside, his signing could lessen that blow (however unlikely Scott's trade is).