Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson had a quick answer when asked why he signed with the Jets this offseason.
“Man, you see that D-line?” Jefferson said. “We’ve got some dogs out there.”
Those dogs have been feasting during the first two days of training camp.
The pads have yet to be put on, but it is already clear how good the Jets’ defensive line could be this season.
They have high-level talent and depth that will allow head coach Robert Saleh to send waves of defenders at opposing offenses.
“It’s going to be scary,” Jefferson, who is entering his eighth season in the NFL, said. “We’re just there in waves and getting mixed and matched with different guys. We’re going to be a problem for a lot of people.”
The Jets made a huge move last week when they locked up star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with a four-year, $96 million contract extension.
He is the lead dog on the defensive line, but he is surrounded with talent.
Edge rushers Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers cause problems and they are backed up by Bryce Huff, Micheal Clemons, Jermaine Johnson and rookie Will McDonald, who all can rush the passer.
Inside, Williams will play alongside Jefferson, Solomon Thomas and Al Woods, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, but looks even bigger.
“We’re as deep as anybody in football,” Saleh said. “It’s a cool group because of the men that are in that room. You guys know how big character is for us in this building. Every single one of them, starting with Quinnen, they’re just made of the right stuff. They’re a really, really fun group to be around. Once that offense gets rolling and we can get some leads and they can unleash all that pass-rush ability that they have, we’ll see. It’s going to be fun to watch them.”
The Jets have so much depth that it could be a challenge for the coaching staff to keep everyone happy over playing time.
Saleh loves a heavy rotation on the line, but the Jets are now deeper than ever.
It is similar to what Saleh had in San Francisco with the defensive line that was led by Nick Bosa.
This group does not have the speed of that 49ers line, but they might be more powerful.
The Jets have drafted pass rushers in the first round of each of the last two drafts, with Johnson and McDonald.
Neither one of them is expected to be a starter.
Saleh believes this group has enough character that they won’t complain about playing time.
“I think they genuinely love to see each other have success,” Saleh said. “For sure, there are going to be guys who want some of those third-down reps and some of that extra opportunities to get play time. One thing I’ll say and this is where team comes into play is if we can get some leads, it’s exhausting to rush the passer. The more reps we get to rush the passer, the more opportunities everyone is going to get.”
Jefferson said he admired what the Jets did last year and wanted to join them.
“From afar, I was just watching that group and watching how they were getting after it,” Jefferson said. “I feel like there’s a lot of players who are just like me, same hunger, especially for rushing, knowledge of the game. I just thought if I add in there, the sky’s the limit. They’re already great. I don’t see us getting any worse.”
