New York Jets: Realistic expectations for Gang Green in 2019
![Sam Darnold, New York Jets. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Sam Darnold, New York Jets. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a0af64135c749464f8ec6fba726e852fdecfc205d3a35bea31e033dc03446f55.jpg)
The Jets had a pretty good defense in 2018 headed by Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams, but they managed to get even better over the offseason.
The Jets added up for 39 sacks, 13 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles in 2018 and in 2019 expect them to put up even bigger numbers. With the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Jets selected defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams, out of the University of Alabama. In 2018 he had 71 total tackles pushing opposing offenses back a total of 19.5 yards, in addition to his eight sacks.
All of this was good enough to place the former Crimson Tide DT eighth in Heisman voting, finishing as the only defensive player to place among the top ten vote getters of 2018. This just goes to show you the caliber of player the Jets will be getting to place alongside Leonard Williams on the defensive line.
However, Williams isn’t the only defensive player the Jets added this offseason, they also added an inside linebacker in four-time Pro Bowler, C.J. Mosley, who also happened to go to the University of Alabama.
Adding this pair to the Jets established defensive standouts Jamal Adams and Leonard Williams, who each made a Pro Bowl in their first two seasons, gives the Jets one of the stronger defenses in the NFL. It appears as if Gang Green doesn’t have a hole at a single spot in their defense going into 2019. At the line, you’ve gotta deal with the Williams-duo of Quinnen and Leonard Williams.
If teams manage to get past the two bangers on the line, they then have to deal with linebackers C.J. Mosley, Brandon Copeland, and others. Past that it’s a secondary which features Pro Bowler Jamal Adams and also rebounding corner Trumaine Johnson.
Needless to say, the Jets defense is gonna be difficult to move the ball against in 2019. Now that Quinnen Williams has officially signed his rookie contract, we will get a chance to see them take form in training camp and the pre-season.