New York Jets 'Get Bigger' On Defense?

Despite fielding a top five unit over the last few years, the Jets opted to acquire bigger interior lineman to counter teams running the ball on them.

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets may have fielded a top-five defense for the second straight year, but they had a major Achilles heel that cost the franchise wins in 2023.

Stopping the run.

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

New York fielded the 25th-ranked defense against the run last season, with several organizations finding success once Al Woods went down for a season-ending injury. Woods may not be with the Jets anymore, but Gang Green has moved quickly this offseason to make sure the interior of the defensive line was up to par.

In the early stages of free agency, New York signed San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and Arizona Cardinals' Leki Fotu. Both players have come in heavier than previous players the Jets have brought in.

That wasn't an accident according to New York's head coach.

"To get Kinlaw & Fotu, we’ve managed to get bigger on the interior which was important to us but not at the risk of losing athleticism," Robert Saleh explained on his state of the Jets show. "When you look at those two they’re both over 320 pounds. Throw in Quinnen [Williams] & we’re pretty meaty on the inside."

Saleh pointed to Fotu's "4.8 playspeed" as a reason for the Jets to feel confident they can get the best out of the newcomers. Kinlaw, coming from a previous stint with Saleh in San Francisco, should also mesh well with a unit that already holds a first-team All-Pro player in Quinnen Williams.

The likes of Fotu and Kinlaw emerging on the roster, and the return of a leader in Solomon Thomas, means that the Jets could have a unique defensive front that can not only get after the quarterback, but is lethal against the run as well.

In any case, 2024 could set the stage for a top-five finish once again for Saleh's defense.