Breaking down the Jets’ dwindling options at defensive tackle

On Thursday morning, right before his scheduled visit with the Jets, free-agent defensive lineman Calais Campbell agreed to a one-year deal with Falcons.

Days earlier, Jets general manager Joe Douglas had spoke glowingly about Campbell and the potential to sign the 36-year-old veteran. Now Gang Green will need to satisfy their defensive tackle needs elsewhere as it still has a major void to fill alongside Quinnen Williams.

Earlier this offseason, Sheldon Rankins, who started 15 games for the Jets last year, signed a one-year, $9.7 million contract with the Texans. Also, Nathan Shephard, who was the Jets backup defensive tackle in 2022, signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Saints.

Gang Green targeted Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, but he decided to return to Philadelphia instead. The Jets did retain Solomon Thomas, who played in all 17 games a year ago, but they still need a starter on the defensive line.

“Like I told Joe, we still have Quinnen (Williams),” Jets coach Robert Saleh said during the NFL Annual Meetings last week. “He’s pretty good, so we want to add those pieces and Sheldon Rankins is a phenomenal football player, did a lot.

“You guys know how much I love Shep (Nathan Shepherd), going to New Orleans and getting what he got. Really excited for him, but we’ll be alright. We’ll figure it out.”

Nearly a month into free agency, there are not many veteran defensive tackles left on the market who can help the Jets. However, there are a few who could make sense.

A’Shawn Robinson

Robinson met with Giants this offseason, but he remains a free agent. He is one of the best tackles on the market at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds.

During the last three seasons, Robinson, 28, played alongside future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald on the Rams front four. During that time, Robinson recorded 121 tackles and two sacks.

Robinson’s 2022 season was cut short after he tore his meniscus last November. He played in 10 games as he registered 22 tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson was the 11th-best defensive lineman last season as they graded him with a 68.7 in terms of run defense. After finishing fourth in total defense last season, adding a player like Robinson would certainly help maintain their top-tier status.

Poona Ford

Ford signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Throughout the last few seasons, Ford has continued to elevate his game.

Ford has started 64 of 76 total games played in the NFL. He’s made 181 tackles 28 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, four pass defenses, and one forced fumble. He might be undersized at 5-11, but Ford has shown consistently he can be disruptive as a run defender.

Also at 310 pounds, Ford is more athletic than he looks. He probably wouldn’t command a high price and at 27 years old, Ford could potentially get better as a player.

In Jeff Ulbrich’s 4-3 scheme, Ford would fit well with the rest of the Jets defense.

Could the Jets be on HBO’s Hard Knocks once again?

During the 2010 preseason, the Jets were featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks, a reality sports documentary series produced by NFL Films and HBO.

Could the Jets be on their way to having another summer of Hard Knocks?

According to NFL criteria, the Jets are one of four teams that are eligible to be on Hard Knocks in 2023. The league excludes teams with a first-year head coach and teams that have made the playoffs within the last two years. Also, teams that have hosted Hard Knocks during the last 10 years are exempt.

That leaves the Saints, Bears, Commanders and the Jets as possible teams that could host the series during training camp. From the NFL’s standpoint, the Jets hosting Hard Knocks again makes a ton of sense.

At some point, Gang Green expects to add Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Packers. Having Rodgers in front of the camera in itself would be must-see TV.

Also, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could join the Jets, which would bring another face veteran face would recognize.

Jets owner Woody Johnson said they would take a “hard look” at the team hosting again.

“That was an unbelievable thing in 2010,” Johnson said. “I just remember leaving the dinner table at 9:15 whenever you were around town, I would have to leave because I want to see this.

“That was a lot of fun.”

Wilson will be Jets backup quarterback with Rodgers impending arrival

Some fans might have expected the Jets to find a new backup quarterback with Mike White departing for the Dolphins this offseason.

But Saleh told reporters last week that former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson will be the Jets backup.

“We’re really excited to work with him,” Saleh said. “I really still think Zach has a future in this League to be a really good quarterback.

“I really do. He has the work ethic. He has the mindset, and he’s coming in here to attack it, but yeah, we’re counting on him to be a fixture here for a while.”

The Jets trade with Rodgers hasn’t been finalized, but it is expected to be soon, maybe before the 2023 NFL Draft. After being the Jets starting quarterback the last two seasons, Wilson will sit behind Rodgers and learn after a dreadful start to his NFL career.

In 22 career games, Wilson has passed for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions while completing 55.2% of his passes. After missing the four games of the 2022 season after tearing his meniscus, Wilson returned as the Jets starter, but he still show the same inconsistencies as a rookie.

Wilson was finally benched last November after a 10-3 loss to the Patriots when he failed to take any accountably for the loss as he completed 9 of 22 passes for 77 yards.

Wilson started again after White broke his ribs but was benched again for the final two games of the season. As Wilson’s play continued to be inconsistent, the Jets got better as they improved from four wins to seven in 2022.

However, Gang Green’s offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season as they finished 25th in total offense (318 yards per game) and 29th in points per game (17.4). After entering December 7-4 and a realy chance of making the playoff, the Jets lost six straight games to end the year in part because of their poor offense.

Although Wilson will be the Jets backup quarterback, don’t be surprised if the team selects a quarterback in April’s draft just to compete with Wilson and Chris Streveler during training camp. Possible Day 3 options for the Jets could include Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, Fresno State’s Jake Haener or TCU’s Max Duggan.

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