The New York Jets have spent a ton of resources on the defensive line in the past few seasons. Some notable parts of that:
Giving a top-tier interior defensive lineman contract to Quinnen Williams
Spending a 2022 first round pick on edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II
Spending a 2023 first round pick on edge rusher Will McDonald IV
Trading a 2026 third round pick on edge rusher Haasan Reddick via trade
Given that, perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that the New York Jets are thought to have one of the best defensive lines in the league. But the best? No amount of resources can guarantee that.
And through that lens, it’s pretty cool that some think they are the league’s best. One such analyst that shares that thought is Brian Baldinger of NFL Network, who said the following on the Green Light podcast that is hosted by former NFL edge rusher Chris Long:
"I think they're going to be eight deep, and I think they are going to play with the lead, something that they never did last year."
- @BaldyNFL on the Jets D-Line | @JOEL9ONE pic.twitter.com/EFdIIWjzV1— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) May 17, 2024
While most of what Baldinger said is pretty standard (praising players like Johnson and Quinnen who were Pro Bowlers in 2023), he did state that he thinks Haasan Reddick is an improvement over Bryce Huff, who was a player that he held in high regard in recent years, making this a notable claim.
What do you think? Is Baldinger right in his assessment of the Jets’ defensive line?
