When the New York Jets hired head coach Robert Saleh, it signaled a massive change to their defense. One that will be the first of its kind in years. Coming from the San Francisco 49ers, Saleh is likely to institute a 4-3 defensive scheme. New York hasn’t operated out of a 4-3 base since Herm Edwards, who last coached the team in 2005.
As the Jets transition to a 4-3 defensive scheme, it is likely to bring plenty of new changes to the entire defensive side of the football. Among those appears to be new faces to the defensive line.
[pickup_prop id=”3826″]
New York Jets Interested in 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Line Prospects
Taking a look at those who are under contract for this season, Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Nathan Shepherd are three versatile interior defensive linemen. Williams and Fatukasi being two of the team’s better players in 2021, with top 14 grades at the position from PFF.
While both are likely starters, Robert Saleh, like any head coach, loves having depth. With the 49ers, Saleh had tons of talent along his defensive fronts, which came in handy in 2020 when numerous players suffered lengthy injuries. It is more than likely he intends to strengthen Gang Green’s depth up front. It is also worth noting that Fatukasi is entering a contract year.
That being said, it comes as no surprise that some of the first reports of player interviews the Jets have had are with defensive linemen. New York has met with West Virginia’s Darius Stills and most recently Alim McNeill of North Carolina State.
Alim McNeill
Standing at 6-2 and 320 pounds, Alim McNeill profiles as a fantastic run stuffer who can develop into a solid pass rusher. He has flashed the talent to be able to move the pocket, though not on a consistent basis. In 31 games with the Wolfpack, McNeill has 17.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, and 77 total tackles. McNeill even picked off a pass this past season. Should the New York Jets look to take McNeill, chances are he would be a third-round target. He is a natural fit on the inside for the potential 4-3 front.
Darius Stills
As for Darius Stills, the now-former Mountaineer is 6-1 and 281 pounds, which does not exactly scream “4-3 fit”. Nonetheless, Stills is one of the most productive interior defensive linemen in this class. Over his final two seasons, Stills posted 19.5 tackles for a loss to go with 9.5 sacks, and like McNeill, also had an interception in his final year. Again, at his size, he does not easily slide into the 4-3 scheme, however, his disruption ability stemming from his explosiveness off the line makes him an intriguing prospect in that third-round range.
New York Jets Taking a Look at 2021 Defensive Line Prospects
Ultimately, there is still a long time until the NFL Draft begins. Even the NFL Combine and free agency have yet to arrive. Then again, it is never too early to take a look at who may be wearing gotham green in 2021. And it might just be one of these likely mid-round rookie defensive lineman selections that joins the team in Florham Park.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
