For yrs, the Jets have struggled getting to opposing quarterbacks. New York has absent to fantastic lengths to locate a consistent edge rusher, but an elite player at the situation has evaded Gang Green considering that the times of John Abraham.
With the information that the Kansas City Chiefs are searching star outdoors linebacker Justin Houston, these times could be coming to an conclusion. With the proper present, the Jets could land by themselves the player they’ve been looking for.
Move rushers of Houston’s caliber do not appear obtainable frequently. In 2018, he recorded 38 tackles, 9 sacks, eight TFL’s and 5 pressured fumbles in n 12 games performed. The 6-foot-3, 258-pound outdoors linebacker is a four-time pro bowler and was a initial-workforce All-Professional variety in 2014 when he led the league in sacks with 22.
Though Houston has skipped 18 games above the past 3 seasons, he stays amongst the ranks of the elite at his situation. However, with Houston’s cap number ($15.2 million in 2019), the emergence of Dee Ford as an higher-echelon go rusher and Kansas City’s wish to preserve Ford in 2019 and past, he has develop into expendable. The Chiefs have been fielding phone calls on their star outdoors linebacker and the Jets should be firmly concerned in these trade talks.
Houston is the perfect match in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ 3-4 protection. Williams employs an attacking type of perform and adding an aggressive edge rusher like Houston would make his scheme all the a lot more risky.
With Kansas City seemingly ready to get Houston off the books, he could possibly not cost all that substantially to obtain, either. Houston will not command a return any place close to what the Oakland Raiders got from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Khalil Mack very last year, so the Jets will not have to fear about offering up a king’s ransom to land the 30-year-outdated.
Houston is the sort of player that can consider New York’s protection to the future level. It’s uncommon that game-shifting players appear obtainable by way of trade and general supervisor Mike Maccagnan should be prepared to consider total edge of the situation.
Trades like these are the kinds that convert a middle of the street workforce into a contender. The Jets have plenty of holes to fill, but adding Houston would be a main move in the proper direction on the street back to the postseason.
