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New York Jets: Todd Bowles Should Explore More 4-3 Schemes

By Maurice Moton

Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (91) celebrates with defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) after a sack against Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (91) celebrates with defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) after a sack against Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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With New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson signing a long-term deal, should head coach Todd Bowles utilize 4-3 looks more often?

For most people, changing our ways serves a tough challenge. However, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles should consider deviating from his 3-4 scheme on earlier downs to optimize strengths on the defensive line.

With defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson signing a five-year contract extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets must find a way to optimize all their talent up front.

Related Story: New York Jets: NFL Slaps Sheldon Richardson on Hand

Defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams and Wilkerson were all first-round picks, and each player possesses the tools to start on an NFL defensive line. The newest addition, Williams, racked up three sacks and nine hurries during his rookie campaign, per Sporting Charts.

A four-man front featuring all three former first-round picks plus free-agent pickup Steve McLendon would maintain this team’s top-three run defense and squeeze the most out of their trio on the defensive line.

Splitting Wilkerson out as a 4-3 defensive end isn’t a foreign idea. ESPN’s Rich Cimini outlined the added defensive wrinkle in the previous season after a matchup with the Washington Redskins in Week 6 after the bye:

"Todd Bowles employed a game plan from last season that worked for his Arizona Cardinals against the Dallas Cowboys. On Sunday, Bowles scrapped his 3-4 base defense in favor of a 4-3, adding Richardson at defensive tackle to the already formidable trio of Muhammad Wilkerson (end), Leonard Williams (end) and Damon Harrison (tackle)."

The game plan effectively limited the Redskins’ ground attack to 34 yards and forced quarterback Kirk Cousins to toss up some errant throws. He finished the contest with fewer than 200 passing yards and two interceptions.

After the victory, Richardson also spoke about what defensive linemen enjoy, per Cimini:

“Every defensive lineman likes to stand up,” Richardson said, smiling. “That’s a universal thing.”

“Every defensive lineman likes to stand up” – Sheldon Richardson

Bowles should revisit this plan for the long term to keep Williams, Richardson and Wilkerson on the field together—two them playing defensive end and one staying inside alongside McLendon.

Both Williams and Wilkerson played well off the edge within a four-man front in the previous season. Richardson started a few games at outside linebacker in 2015. With his versatility, it’s not a reach to see him lining up at defensive end in a 4-3 alignment. Bowles could use Richardson and Williams as defensive tackles with Wilkerson on the end.

The defensive front would serve as an effective counter for power-based ground attacks and offenses that rely on the run game to set up the pass.

As for the linebackers, Lorenzo Mauldin would line up on the strong side, David Harris in the middle and rookie Darron Lee on the weak side. Third-round pick Jordan Jenkins would rotate in on 3-4 sub-packages.

New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) stretches before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum
November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) stretches before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

With Williams under contract until 2018 plus a fifth-year option and assuming the Jets want to keep Richardson around, why not utilize top-notch talent to the max?

Bear in mind, most teams play majority snaps in the nickel formation, Bowles doesn’t have to use a 4-3 on most downs, but the alignment would become an effective early-down tool to set the tone.

Last season, the Jets utilized Leger Douzable, who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills, as the defensive end in nickel packages featuring a four-man front, per Cimini:

"In the nickel, Williams slide inside with Richardson, with Leger Douzable (subbing for Harrison) joining Wilkerson on the outside. On a handful of plays, Wilkerson and Richardson rushed from a stand-up position, allowing them a running start."

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Bowles would need someone to step in as the rotational 4-3 defensive end opposite Wilkerson in a four-man front. Defensive lineman Deion Barnes played the position at Penn State and logged 16.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks during his final two seasons on campus.

Williams’ draft fall to the Jets may cause frequent rotations, but it also allows the coaching staff to exercise creativity in their lineup changes.

Due to Richardson’s one-game suspension, the talented trio on the defensive line will take the field together in Week 2. We’ll see how Bowles juggles the three throughout the season.

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