NFL Mocks predict breakout star for the Jets in 2018

NFL Mocks of the FanSided network released who they feel every team’s breakout star will be in 2018. For the New York Jets, they believe it will be none other than linebacker Darron Lee.

The regular season can’t come fast enough as football fans across the globe anxiously await for it to finally get here. For now, we have to endure some long summer months ahead full of minicamps, training camps, and of course, preseason football. All we can do is be patient and get excited for what awaits, especially fans of the New York Jets as there is a lot of optimism in the air. Predicting who will be a breakout player in 2018 isn’t easy, but NFL Mocks of the FanSided network just released who they feel it will be for every team.

The Jets are coming off two straight losing seasons, ironically ending 2016 and 2017 with 5-11 final records. They can only go up as there is hope with a new rookie quarterback in town and some good acquisitions this offseason, they can be a competitive team again. Especially if their pass rush steps up and delivers consistent results when it matters most.

Could the Jets get lucky and have a defensive player enjoy a breakout season? It’s no secret that linebacker Darron Lee has been a player on the rise as he’s coming off a solid sophomore campaign last year. Considering that last season, Lee totaled 67 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three sacks bode well for him to be in a position to break out in 2018.

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In an article written by George Stockburger of NFL Mocks, here’s what he had to say as to why he believes Lee could potentially be the Jets breakout star of 2018:

With incredible speed and range, Lee hasn’t been utilized as much as a pass rusher as I think he could be, and the Jets might finally start getting creative in the ways they use his speed to their advantage. While last season was a nice one statistically for Lee, you expect more impact from a first-round linebacker and this year, he may give it to them.

Stockburger is correct here since, in the grand scheme of things, Lee has the skill-set to put everything together to where he can be a force to reckon with. It all depends on how the coaching staff utilizes Lee’s strengths to their advantage but the talent is undoubtedly there.

Hopefully, Lee continues to improve and lives up to the hype he generated when he was selected as a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The third year of a player’s journey to the NFL tends to be the year that they deliver some serious results. All the Jets need to do is put him in a position to rush quarterbacks a bit more than in the past and the results will come.