New York Jets Training Camp Preview: Defensive Line

As July comes near an end, NFL football moves closer and closer. In the coming days, NFL training camps will begin as teams will begin preparing for the 2015 season. For teams like the New York Jets, training camp will be extremely important as they have a new regime in place with Todd Bowles replacing Rex Ryan as head coach. The Jets are also starting to get some expectations, as they made some big upgrades to their roster, adding weapons offensively and bringing back some familiar faces on the defensive side of the ball. All of this has caused some optimism for Gang Green, making them a team to keep an eye on throughout training camp.

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While there may not be many training camp battles per say, there are still plenty of things to keep an eye on. Here at Empire Writes Back we have you covered, as we will give a position by position, or unit by unit, preview leading up to training camp beginning July 29th in Florham Park, New Jersey. The sixth position we will be taking a look at will be defensive line.

Current Depth Chart:

Starters: Muhammad Wilkerson (DE) Damon Harrison (DT), Leonard Williams (DE)
Backups: Leger Douzable, T.J. Barnes, Kevin Vickerson
Cut Candidates: Stephen Bowen, Deon Smith

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You see that there is a big name missing from the starting lineup in Sheldon Richardson. But, he was suspended for four-games because he violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy. That will cause the Jets to change their plans on the fly for first round pick Leonard Williams, who they were hoping they would be able to bring along slowly and pick the spots to use him in. That will no longer be a luxury they are afforded, as the Richardson suspension will throw him right into the fire as the starting defensive end.

Williams was regarded by many people as the top prospect in this year’s draft, yet slide a little bit to the Jets at six. They are glad to have him in town, as he strengthens what was already their most dominant unit on the roster. It will be worth keeping an eye on to see how Williams handles the starting job, and if he takes it and runs away with it or struggles a bit.

It also puts first year head coach Todd Bowles in a bit of a bind. He has to juggle getting Richardson enough reps that he stays in shape and learns the new schemes, but also find enough for so that the rookie Williams is prepared for his expanded role.

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The other storyline to keep an eye on here is with Muhammad Wilkerson. It has been no secret that he is seeking a long-term contract from the Jets, but it is something they are unwilling to do at this time. The selection of Williams only strengthened their stance, but the loss of Richardson has swung things back towards Wilkerson’s camp a little bit. It would be shocking to see Wilkerson hold out of training camp, but you never know what will happen. Wilkerson would face massive fines if he skips practices, and would put the Jets in a massive hole if they are without him and Richardson come Week 1 because of a suspension and contract dispute.

This will be good practice for the Jets, who could have another contract dispute on their problems next season with Wilkerson’s lineman mate, Damon Harrison. Harrison has developed into one of the better DT in the NFL, and his production in defending the run is a big reason for the unit’s success. When he is on the field, teams average a paltry 3.11 yards per carry, but when he is off the field it jumps all the way to 3.81. That is the largest difference among any starter the Jets have on defense.

How Williams handles the starting job is really what will key the Jets training camp with this unit. If he struggles, they can turn to a triumvirate of veterans in Kevin Vickerson, Leger Douzable and Stephen Bowen. The Jets have to hope that Williams can lock down the job though, as having to hold onto an extra defensive lineman because of his struggles would hurt them at other positions they may need to keep an extra body at.

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Another wild card to keep an eye on is Quinton Coples. He is slated to play the pass rushing linebacker spot, but came into the NFL as a defensive end. If the Jets are not happy with Williams’ progression, they could turn to Coples to help them out. He was comfortable and productive when replacing the injured Wilkerson there last season, and is something Bowles and his staff could use as a fall back option.

Whatever the Jets decide to do, this unit is the strength of the team and got only stronger once Williams was selected. Bowles and his defensive coordinator will have fun game planning with this group different schemes, something they will enjoy even more once Richardson is allowed back in the fold.

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