NY Jets: 4 mid-round pass-rushers to target in the 2021 NFL Draft

The NY Jets have seemingly found a new identity on defense following a free-agency period where the team bolstered their pass-rush in a number of ways.

That, along with the addition of famed defensive guru Robert Saleh, could help provide the Jets with the best pass-rush they’ve had in years.

But as they say, you could never have too many pass-rushers.

The Jets entered free agency looking to overhaul their edge-rush group with the expected switch to a base 4-3 defense. And they did so in a big way signing arguably the best edge rusher on the market in Carl Lawson.

Lawson was inked to a hefty three-year, $45 million contract and is likely the best pass-rusher the team has had since the days of John Abraham. But they didn’t stop there, adding veteran Vinny Curry to provide additional depth.

They even shored up their interior signing former first-round pick Sheldon Rankins away from the New Orleans Saints. Those new additions will join an already stout Jets defensive line featuring the likes of Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, and John Franklin-Myers.

Suddenly, the Jets could have one of the best defensive lines in football. But that doesn’t mean they can’t still look to strengthen an already-existing strength.

The 2021 NFL Draft class will offer the Jets yet another opportunity to add to their edge-rush rotation. Expect them to target at least one player at the position over the course of the three-day event.

Today, we take a look at four mid-round options the Jets could target.

Next: 4. Jordan Smith