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Robert Saleh is known for his aggressive and fierce defense. He will bring that and more to the Jets in 2021.
While Saleh has said he won’t call the games on defense – he’ll leave that to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich – the Jets will still use the 4-3 base defense Saleh ran during his four years with the 49ers. There will also be some Seattle influence as well as wrinkles from Ulbrich’s toolbox. The Jets mostly led a 3-4 defense under Gregg Williams, but the current New York staff are better suited to a trench-first defense with four defensive linemen and three linebackers behind them.
Saleh has honed his defense over the past four seasons by building an unstoppable defensive line. He peaked in 2019 with four first-round picks, Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford, but Saleh turned an injury-laden line into one of the best units in 2020 with Armstead, Kerry Hyder, DJ Jones and Javon Kinlaw. Saleh won’t have as much firepower in New York as in San Francisco, but he will have enough to get started.
Key to this defense will be the Jets’ ability to get pressure from the defensive line, especially a quick rusher. Saleh used plenty of Wide-9 rosters in San Francisco that spaced the defensive ends outside the tight ends of the offensive line, which opened up gaps for defensive tackles to engage guards one-on-one to inside and get better penetration against running play or to rush the quarterback. This setup will likely be the focal point of Saleh and Ulbirch’s attack next season.
Quinnen Williams will be the biggest beneficiary of this change in pattern, as he will assume the defensive tackle place on the line. Saleh has previously said he liked what he saw of Williams and was “delighted to take the seat belt off his harness and let him go,” according to Athletic. Williams will be employed how Saleh used DeForest Buckner in San Francisco and how Ulbrich used Grady Jarrett in Atlanta.
Speed will also be important for this defense. Saleh said during his introductory press conference, he wanted “as fast as possible”. Williams is already blazing fast for his size, but the Jets have two other pieces of the in-line puzzle that fit that bill: Foley Fatuaski as a tackle and John Franklin-Myers as a defensive end.
However, the Jets don’t have a truly dominant edge rusher, which is crucial for this defense.
Tarell Basham is the obvious candidate for the role, but he’s an impending free agent. Bryce Huff or Jabari Zuniga could earn that role this offseason – both are fast enough and young enough to become dominant but remain very raw prospects. Henry Anderson and Nathan Shepherd are also options, but locks aren’t with the squad in 2021 either. The Jets could also draft or sign someone in free agency if they don’t think their fourth starter is already. on the list.
CJ Mosley will assume the traditional center linebacker position in which he has played and thrived during his five years with the Ravens. He will be the leader in defense and provide fantastic support behind the defensive line. The outside linebackers will be there to support the stoppages, but will also play a crucial role in the defense of the Cover-2 zone with two outside cornerbacks and two safeties behind them. Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman are ready for these places – as both are competent cover securities who have proven to be competent defenders as well.
The secondary is the biggest question mark for Saleh and Ulbrich. Safety Marcus Maye would be a perfect fit, but the Jets have to hand him a new contract to keep him. The second safety post is completely up for grabs but could be occupied by Ashtyn Davis or Bradley McDougald if the Jets sign it again. McDougald knows how to play it safe in a Seahawks style defense and may well fit in with the one Saleh and Ulbrich are adapting in New York.
Bryce Hall has proven he can be a solid outside cornerback at the end of the season, but the Jets still need another to fill the defense. Bless Austin looks more like a back piece, so Saleh would have to look to free will or the draft to find his other cornerback. Brian Poole also remains a solid option if the Jets want to re-sign him as a cornerback or even as a safety.
Fortunately for the Jets, there aren’t too many personnel changes required to build a successful defense. Key decisions will need to be made at important positions – rusher, security and outside corner half – to solidify the unit, however, and this is where Douglas’ financial flexibility and capital project will come into play.
There are a lot of unresolved questions about this defense going into this offseason, but the pieces are in place to create a successful unit in 2021 that revolves around speed and pressure. Saleh and Ulbrich took defenses with huge gaps last year and turned them into respectable units – Saleh’s defense placed sixth in the Football Outsiders DVOA despite major injuries, while Ulbrich razed eight points per game and 75 yards per game on his defensive averages in 11 games. after being promoted to defensive coordinator.
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