NY Jets add LB Patrick Onwuasor in free agency, opens trade possibility

The NY Jets have added another linebacker in free agency. Here are the details on Patrick Onwuasor and what this could mean for the roster.

The NY Jets have continued to add to their linebacking room in free agency.

On Wednesday afternoon Gang Green announced the addition of Patrick Onwuasor on a one-year deal. The former Baltimore Ravens stud started from humble beginnings as an undrafted free agent out of Portland State and has transformed himself into a viable player in the NFL.

Onwuasor spent the first four years of his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens. During that tenure, he played in over 57 games and started 32 of them.

He will now reunite with his former Ravens teammate CJ Mosley in the Jets’ defensive room.

Here’s a look at the team’s depth chart at linebacker:

• James Burgess (re-signed during free agency).
• Neville Hewitt (re-signed during free agency).
• Blake Cashman (still under his rookie contract).

With so much depth and experience at linebacker, this seemingly opens the door for the NY Jets to re-open trade conversations with teams regarding Avery Williamson.

He signed a three-year deal to join the green and white back in 2018 and still has one year left on his deal for $6.5 million. Reportedly last year the Jets were shopping Avery during the preseason prior to him suffering a torn ACL.

He’s still only 28 years old and when healthy has proven to be a viable cog in the defense. Unfortunately due to an array of injuries, the team hasn’t been able to enjoy Williamson and Mosley on the field at the same time as they had hoped.

Although it’ll be interesting to see how the Jets and Gregg Williams choose to use him on defense. While he is primarily listed as an inside linebacker, he does have some pass-rushing prowess.

Over the last two years, he has recorded 8.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and an interception.

Worst case this is a terrific depth option for the Jets who have now added another player on defense that has a wealth of starting experience in this league.