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5 edge rushers NY Jets can sign after missing on Jadeveon Clowney

Who should the Jets sign after missing on Clowney?

ByJustin Fried|
Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue | Cooper Neill/GettyImages
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2. The NY Jets could sign Jerry Hughes

Of all the veteran edge rushers still remaining in free agency, Jerry Hughes might be the Jets' best option. Even at the age of 35 (he turns 36 in August), Hughes is still playing at a relatively high level.

The 14-year NFL veteran spent the last two seasons in Houston, recording nine sacks in 2022 before his playing time and sack production dipped in 2023. Hughes recorded just three sacks last season — partially a result of a dip in snaps due to the addition of Will Anderson.

Still, Hughes has remained efficient. He still recorded 30 pressures last season on only 276 pass-rush snaps, finishing with a very respectable 67.2 Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade. Hughes is also a quality run-defender, having missed just six tackles last season.

Hughes spent nearly a decade playing in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and played in a similar defensive scheme under DeMeco Ryans last season. He makes a ton of sense for the Jets.

1. The NY Jets could sign Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell isn't necessarily a true "edge rusher," but he could still fill the void left by the miss on Clowney. In fact, he's probably the most impactful defender the Jets can still sign in free agency.

An ageless wonder, Campbell continues to play at a very high level, even as he approaches the age of 38. Campbell started all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, finishing with 6.5 sacks, 42 pressures (his most since 2019), and an outstanding 80.0 PFF grade.

The 16-year veteran has long been one of the better run defenders in the NFL, and he proved last season that he can still be very valuable as a pass rusher. He would essentially fill a similar role to John Franklin-Myers as a tweener edge/interior player.

The Jets showed interest in signing Campbell last offseason before he agreed to a deal with the Falcons. If Campbell is willing to play another season (which, by all accounts, he is), the Jets should make another run at signing him.

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