Jets' pass rush struggles boil down to poor roster construction by Darren Mougey

The New York Jets' defensive line is much better than it was in 2025, and that is indisputable. However, the unit as a whole lacks difference-makers, as Darren Mougey's inability to land that force multiplier can be exploited by some of the better teams in the league.

The Jets' 31-24 loss in Week 3 to the Detroit Lions was won and lost at the line of scrimmage, as New York's defensive line got their lunch money stolen. Bailey was the only edge rusher to record a pressure in this game, and the defensive tackles were stonewalled. Mougey improved the line, but there are problems with his additions.

The Jets' defensive tackle room lacks a disruptor who can generate pressure on passing downs, and the edge rusher room is all quicker players without a more physical presence that wins with power more often than not. As a result, this unit looks one-dimensional.

New York Jets' pass rush struggles come down to Darren Mougey's roster construction

A healthy Jets defensive line will start T'Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, and David Onyemata. All three of them focus on stuffing the run above all else, with Phillips and Sweat lacking pass-rush upside. Jowon Briggs, their nominal best interior disruptor, came to town with a reputation as a run-stuffer. Rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. is a work in progress on passing downs.

Contrast that with the pass rush stable. While No. 2 pick Bailey has shown flashes of being a quality disruptor, he will go cold for long stretches due to a pass rush plan focused entirely on speed. Kingsley Enagbare is far from Reggie White as a bull rusher, Joseph Ossai has been banged up, and Will McDonald has as little power as any edge rusher in the game.

As a result, Detroit had a picture-perfect game plan. Tackles Penei Sewell and Blake Miller could simply overset and prepare for a speed rush from the outside, all while Jared Goff steps up into a pocket that will not be collapsed by New York's interior. This makes the Jets' line very defensively rigid.

The Jets managed to sack Goff twice, but both were on schemed pressures that saw linebacker Demario Davis and safety Andre Cisco get home. Glenn has done a good job of showing he can get creative with his blitz packages, but he can't rely on that to be his primary source of havoc in the backfield.

The New York Jets must add talent to the defensive line

While the Jets' need for a long-term quarterback will be at the front of their mind during the next few months, they should spend one of their three first-round picks in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft on either a pass rusher who can win with power more consistently or a defensive tackle who can get to the quarterback.

Mougey's offseason acquisitions were done to raise this team's floor, and they have done just that. However, in order for a team that has shown some life to make good on all of its promised improvements, they need to add some variety to a defensive line that can be overcome by creative offensive minds.

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