The first year of the Adam Gase era in New York was disappointing, as the Jets finished 7-9. It was a campaign that was marred by inconsistencies and injuries, but the Jets have money to work with this off-season, and they will try to add coins on both sides of the ball that could help New York to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Despite the losing record, the Jets’ defense had a pretty decent year. They allowed just 323.1 yards per game, which ranked seventh in the league, and 86.9 rushing yards per game, which ranked second in the league. They were led by safety Jamal Adams, who had another Pro Bowl season – recording 75 combined tackles, seven defensive assists, 6.5 sacks and a six pick. Adams appeared during NFL Network coverage of the 2020 NFL suit, and was asked if he had a free agency “wish list”. Adams laughed and started to browse a short list of free agents that interested him.
“I would definitely go for (Jadeveon) Clowney. Passing the rusher is what I look forward to,” said Adams via NFL.com. “He’s security’s best friend. Definitely Clowney, Big 9-1 in Jacksonville (Yannick Ngakoue), he’s a beast. Dante Fowler. I mean, there are so many guys going out right now in free agency that we could certainly use coming from this end, man. ”
The Jets had only 35 sacks in 2019, which placed him 23rd in the league, so Adams is right that New York should chase someone during this offseason who knows how to get past the quarterback. Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney is expected to enter the open market, and has experienced a sort of renaissance after being traded from the Houston Texans. The former No. 1 overall pick recorded 31 combined tackles, three sacks, three defensive assists and a pick of six in 13 regular season games, and he flourished like a 4-3 bout. He also made it to the Seahawks in the playoffs, recording 12 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks in two games.
Ngakoue, who should also hit a free agency, made it clear that he did not intend to sign a long-term contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, it looks like the Jaguars are ready to use their franchise label on him in order to keep Ngakoue on the list. The 24-year-old was a third round pick from Maryland in the 2016 NFL draft. He has accumulated 38.5 sacks in the past four years. In 2019, he finished with 41 tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, a recovery fumble, an interception and a touchdown.
Fowler, meanwhile, is someone who escaped from Jacksonville and was successful with the Los Angeles Rams. As the team as a whole took a step back from their Super Bowl LIII appearance, Fowler posted career numbers across the board, recording 58 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks and six assists defended in 2019 .
Pairing a pass-rusher with former No. 3 global pick Quinnen Williams should do wonders for the Jets in 2020, and according to overthecap.com, the Jets have just under $ 50 million to work with.
