Lorenzo Mauldin being groomed to be next big thing

The New York Jets are developing their former third round pick Lorenzo Mauldin to become the next big thing.

The New York Jets have lacked an every down outside linebacker that can strike fear into opposing offenses. The Jets believe that their third round pick from last season, linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, can be that guy.

must read: 5 reasons Lorenzo Mauldin will breakout

Last season, Mauldin was plugged in as a rotational pass rusher and he produced, notching four sacks in limited action. In front of him were seasoned veterans, but now after an offseason of purging, it’s a young man’s position now.

The Jets have seven linebackers that are 25 years of age or younger, what a difference a year makes. So it almost seems obvious, but the one thing that is holding Mauldin back from his full potential is experience. Here’s what head coach Todd Bowles had to say about Mauldin so far in training camp and preseason football, courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On Lorenzo Mauldin…

He practices hard, he works hard, and he needs playing time just like Qvale and Ben (Ijalana). He needs a bunch of playing time. Obviously, he played sub (defenses) last year, so playing every down is totally different. You’re not just a pass rusher. You have to play the run. He’s getting better at those things, but he needs to play. He needs to play in games, and he’s doing that. He’ll be fine.

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Mauldin has been doing everything right so far and everyone sees the potential for Mauldin to be a superstar.

For Mauldin, the mission goes beyond the sack numbers, he’s now got to make the transition to becoming a full-time player.

After the preseason game Thursday night, head coach Todd Bowles talked about players “flashing”.

Bowles said via the Media Relations Department of the Jets, “we don’t want to see guys flash. We want to see them consistently getting better.”

Eager OLB Lorenzo Mauldin: "If I'm going to be a starter, I should be making starter plays": https://t.co/VHU8nENcMY pic.twitter.com/jPnd1GZtad

— Randy Lange (@rlangejets) August 8, 2016

To steal a line from Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers, “he wants to see his players consistently good, not occasionally great.” Mauldin has a chance to be great, what he needs is experience, but in the NFL you have to learn on the fly.

must read: Ryan Clady knocked off the rust in preseason

There’s no time anymore for players to sit down for a couple of seasons and learn the position. The Jets are in a win-now mode, so they need impact players now, and Mauldin’s transition will be accelerated in 2016.

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