NY Jets: 5 positions the team could target with the 23rd pick

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5. NY Jets could address defensive end

The defensive end position is one that Douglas actually addressed well this offseason in adding young star Carl Lawson.

A defense can never have too many pass rushers, though, and having another great rusher across from Lawson could allow interior defenders Quinnen Williams and Sheldon Rankins to dominate.

This pass rush class is full of freak athletes, but none may be more athletic than Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye.

At his Pro Day, Paye measured in at 6-foot-2, 261 pounds, and ran a 4.54 40-yard dash — a blazingly fast time for a player of his size.

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He also put up an astonishing 36 reps on the bench press, and although he didn’t participate in the 3-cone drill at his Pro Day, he is known to be very quick.

Paye’s stats don’t jump off the page, but PFF’s Michael Renner notes that Paye’s “pass-rushing toolbox … [has improved] by leaps and bounds over the past two seasons.”

Paye is not very refined as a pass rusher but his tremendous athleticism makes him a very high-ceiling pass rusher.

Considering Saleh’s 2019 San Francisco defense was one of the best in football in a very long time, Gang Green’s new head coach could help Paye reach that potential.

While the Jets now have a great pass rusher in Lawson, they could easily have one of the best pass rushes in the league with the addition of Paye.

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