New York Jets: Evaluating the remaining free agent edge rushers

Justin  Houston

OK so here is how it is if it were my choice, for what it’s worth. If I were sitting in the general manager’s chair making the decision, once he became available, this is the player that would be the one I would target first in this area.

The success of Justin Houston has been well documented over the years. He is a four-time Pro Bowl player. In 2014 he was also chosen as a first team All-Pro. That was the year that he posted a league-leading 22 sacks.

From 2012-2014, Houston posted a whopping 43 sacks. His seasons, in succession were, ten sacks, 11 sacks and 22 sacks. In today’s game that is about as good as it gets. Houston is a guy who has a lot of talent and has been a difference maker throughout his entire career.

Now, Houston is turning 30 years old, granted. But it’s hard to say that he is slowing down. He posted nine sacks last year and 9.5 back in 2017. In a vacuum those two seasons don’t look huge. However, taken within the totality of his career they are.

In eight years in the league, Houston has only posted lower than 7.5 sacks twice. He posted double-digits three times.

Justin Houston can be the guy for the Jets. At the very least he can give them 2-3 more solid seasons while they prepare a young player for the long haul.