What Could Free-Agent LB Rocky McIntosh Bring to the New York Jets Defense?

With the latest free agent linebacker visiting the New York Jets, the offseason theme of defensive versatility continues.

But adding the recent visit from free agent linebacker Rocky McIntosh, as reported by Aaron Wilson of Scout.com, to the previous moves they've made, a theme becomes apparent: the Jets are trying to add leaders to their team.

The Jets haven't signed McIntosh (yet), but if they were to bring him in, they'd be adding experience, versatility and depth to their group.

Now, McIntosh lost his job as starting inside linebacker down the stretch to second-year linebacker Perry Riley, and the Jets aren't exactly hurting for veteran talent on defense; quite contrary, they're aging on that side of the ball, specifically at linebacker.

But at 29 years old, there's still some tread on the tires. 

McIntosh played the Will (right) linebacker spot in the 4-3 for the first four years of his career with the Redskins and has played the Will (right inside) linebacker spot in the 3-4 for the past two years. His ability to play in both fronts would give the Jets another scheme versatile linebacker for their system.

McIntosh could be a replacement for linebacker Bart Scott in sub packages; although Rex Ryan spoke the gospel about Scott on Thursday at Jets OTAs, it's not as though he was taken off the field on passing downs for no good reason.

Linebacker Demario Davis has been projected to be that sub package linebacker to replace Scott, but he could also play on the edge if and when linebacker Bryan Thomas is no longer the starter.

The layers of defensive versatility would only increase by adding a player like McIntosh, who has experience in both fronts. 

He may not be the youngest linebacker, but adding McIntosh to a group that already includes linebackers David Harris, Bart Scott, Demario Davis, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas 

Erik Frenz is the AFC East lead blogger for Bleacher Report. Be sure to follow Erik on Twitter and '"like" the AFC East blog on Facebook to keep up with all the updates.