Most of the focus during the first week of free agency with the Jets has been on the moves Joe Douglas has made or not made on offense.
But Douglas also has been active on the other side of the ball, and the team’s defensive line, considered one of the Jets’ strengths in 2023, will have a different look this season.
The Jets entered free agency with just one proven defensive tackle on the roster in star Quinnen Williams. Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas and Al Woods all were free agents.
Douglas went out and signed Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu and agreed on Friday to a deal with Thomas to return.Â
Then, at edge rusher the Jets allowed Bryce Huff, who led the team in sacks last year, to escape to the Eagles for a three-year, $51 million contract.
Huff’s departure has created a hole at edge where head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich like to have a three-man rotation on passing downs.
The team has yet to fill that Huff-sized hole but they have a prospective replacement coming to Florham Park on Monday.
Jadeveon Clowney, the 10-year veteran who had 9.5 sacks for the Ravens last year will visit the Jets on Monday and Tuesday.
The 31-year-old entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick by the Texans in 2014 but has become a journeyman late in his career.
He has played for five different teams.Â
The Jets have used first-round picks in the last two drafts on edge rushers so they really just need a third rusher to complete their rotation.
The team expects Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald to continue to progress and they will get after the quarterback.
They also have John Franklin-Myers, who they use on first and second down more.Â
Inside, the most intriguing signing is Kinlaw. The 2020 first-round pick was a disappointment in San Francisco, where he played for Saleh as a rookie.
He has had injury issues but had some good moments last year. He had 3.5 sacks and 12 pressures and appeared in every game.
Some people were surprised that he received $7.25 million in a one-year deal from the Jets, but if his potential becomes productivity that will be worth it.Â
Thomas, 28, had five sacks for the Jets last year as part of the defensive tackle rotation.
He is popular with teammates and a good leader for the team.
Bringing him back was a smart move for the Jets.Â
The Jets tried to re-sign Jefferson even after they signed Kinlaw but Jefferson ended up signing with the Browns.
Fotu is a bit of an unknown but at 25, he makes the defensive line room younger.
He is a big body at 6-foot-5 and 334 pounds and can be a run stuffer on early downs.
He is not much of a pass rusher but the Jets don’t need him to be with Williams, Kinlaw and Thomas in the rotation.Â
