Jets host Senior Bowl standout on Top 30 pre-draft visit

The New York Jets recently hosted N.C. State edge rusher Cian Slone on a Top 30 pre-draft visit, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Despite not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Slone did participate in the Senior Bowl and drummed up some interest in himself. He's also met with the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos.

Slone just wrapped up his final season of college football with the Wolfpack, recording two sacks, 23 hurries, and 10 hits. He graded out as Pro Football Focus's 145th-best pass rusher among 852 qualified players.

He projects to be a late Day 3 pick, but may be a good fit for the Jets. They're fairly thin at pass rusher and could use a developmental project waiting in the wings behind some of their veterans.

Jets pass rusher overhaul likely continues into the draft

The Jets practically reset their edge room this offseason, dealing Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans, and signing multiple veterans in free agency to provide some more juice.

Last season, New York finished the season with the second-least amount of sacks in the NFL, and that just isn't a recipe for success. A change was needed.

2023 first-round pick Will McDonald is still in the fold. He'll likely have to serve in a rotational role in 2026, coming in on passing downs as a specialist. In 2025, he played almost every down, and his inability to defend the run was put on full display.

In free agency, the Jets added former Cincinnati Bengal Joseph Ossai and Green Bay Packer Kingsley Enagbare. Ossai will likely play in a more stand-up role, while Enagbare can play with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up pass rusher.

New York isn't finished yet, though, and is almost guaranteed to select a pass rusher with the No. 2 overall pick. One of Ohio State's Arvell Reese or Texas Tech's David Bailey will be wearing Green & White on the night of the draft; the only question that remains is who?

Bailey is the better pass rusher right now, while Reese is expected to take a little more time to flesh out his skills as an edge. Either way, the Jets expect to get a good player with their first-round selection.

They shouldn't stop there, though, and look to add another player in the later rounds who can either play a rotational role or look to develop into a rotational edge rusher.

Maybe Slone could be that player, and the Jets take a dart throw on the N.C. State standout with one of their two seventh-round selections.

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