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New York Jets: Defensive Linemen Land On Most Disappointing List

By Kenneth Teape

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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New York Jets defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson landed on John Clayton’s most disappointing players list as a tandem.

The New York Jets are one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season. After winning 10 games and barely missing the postseason in 2015, they have seemingly been eliminated from the 2016 postseason for weeks.

The Jets currently have a record of 4-9, with two of those victories coming against the lowly Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers; arguably the only teams in worse shape than the Jets.

A lot has gone wrong for the Jets this season. The defense that was expected to be dominant has been underwhelming and the offense took a step back. The ineffectiveness of the defense is arguably their biggest disappointment.

People expected a regression to the mean from Ryan Fitzpatrick after he had a career year in 2015. But, no one could have guessed that the defense would crater as much as they have. Todd Bowles is regarded as a defensive-minded coach, but the Jets have been embarrassed on that side of the ball many times this season.

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As a result, the Jets have multiple players land on John Clayton’s rankings of the 15 most disappointing players in the NFL this season. Coming in at No.2 is the Jets defensive line duo, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.

Wilkerson landed a huge five-year, $86 million deal right before the deadline for an extension to be signed by franchise tagged players. He received $53.5 million guaranteed, and it was tough to find anything wrong with the deal. Wilkerson was a dominant player for the Jets and someone that looked like he could grow into a leader defensively.

Now, less than six months later, the Jets are regretting the deal. Wilkerson has not set the example the Jets had hoped he would as a leader and he is not producing on the field.

Richardson has had his own struggles off the field, something that has resulted in a suspension for two consecutive seasons. His play on the field has been something to offset those problems, but this season that has not been the case.

It is just some of the reasons why Wilkerson and Richardson landed on Clayton’s list of the most disappointing players in 2016. Here is what Clayton had to say about the duo:

"In the preseason, I was excited watching the dominance of the Jets defensive line, just as I was last season when I saw the Denver Broncos defense that ended up winning the Super Bowl. What a letdown. Wilkerson signed a five-year, $86 million contract before the season, and Richardson is set to make $8.069 million next year. I’m grouping them together here because they have four sacks combined and haven’t lived up to their expectations — or their pay.Part of Wilkerson’s problems could be a lingering ankle issue, but neither player has stepped up to lead a Jets team that is 4-9. Second-year player Leonard Williams has been the best Jets defensive lineman. The front office has to figure out how to motivate both players or think about moving them in trades. A trade is more likely with Richardson."

Injuries happen in the NFL, and that could be what is holding Wilkerson back. It is poor timing, as the Jets just invested a lot in Wilkerson and he is not delivering on that investment. As for Richardson, he was someone the Jets pushed hard on the trade market earlier this season.

The Jets shopped him, with the Dallas Cowboys being one of the teams they pushed him towards, but the asking price was sky high. It is a route the Jets will probably look to take again as Clayton mentions as they cannot afford to dump any more money into the defensive line.

Next: Who Did The Jets Select In Todd McShay's First Mock Draft?

With Leonard Williams in the fold, the Jets can afford to move Richardson for some draft picks. It is a route the Jets are probably forced to take as things have not worked out this season. They are better off breaking up the group now and getting something in exchange for Richardson instead of letting him walk away for nothing in free agency.

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