Jamien Sherwood proved he could be a future NY Jets starter in Week 2

The NY Jets' defense has been hit hard by the injury bug to start the 2024 season, but that's allowed a few lesser-known players to step into the spotlight. That was the case for linebacker Jamien Sherwood in Sunday's Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Sherwood was inserted into the starting lineup after regular MIKE linebacker C.J. Mosley suffered a toe injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game. The former Auburn star shined in Mosley's absence, finishing with a team-best 10 total tackles in Week 2.

It wasn't just the regular box score numbers, either. Sherwood's 82.7 Pro Football Focus grade was the 11th-highest of any linebacker in Week 2 and the highest among all Jets defensive players.

He tallied three run stops, a pass breakup, an excellent PFF coverage grade of 78.3, and allowed just eight yards through the air. Sherwood was one of the Jets' best players this past Sunday, proving that he could be a future starter on this defense.

The NY Jets have found a hidden gem in Jamien Sherwood

A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Sherwood primarily played safety at Auburn before converting to linebacker with the Jets. Sherwood was given a brief opportunity as a starter in his rookie season but tore his Achilles just five games into the year.

The Florida native returned in 2022 and has since filled an important role as the Jets' primary backup linebacker and as a core special-teamer. On top of his defensive brilliance in Week 2, Sherwood was also PFF's second-highest-graded special-teams player behind only his Jets teammate, Irv Charles.

Sherwood has always impressed when given the opportunity to step into a larger role over the last few seasons. His 76.1 PFF grade in 2023 was overshadowed by his more high-profile position-mates, C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams, but Sherwood still proved he could handle an uptick in playing time as the Jets' third linebacker.

Still at just 24 years old, Sherwood has the potential to become a future starter in the Jets' defense, perhaps as early as 2025. Mosley will be entering the final year of his contract next season, but the Jets could cut ties early and save a little money.

It should be noted, however, that Sherwood is a pending free agent this offseason. The Jets will have to re-sign him, likely at a pretty reasonable price, if they want him to be Mosley's replacement as the new MIKE linebacker.

Mosley is still nursing that toe injury and is listed as questionable for tonight's game against the New England Patriots, but after not practicing all week, there's a good chance he won't play. The Jets know they have a trusted backup they can turn to in Sherwood.

In fact, Sherwood has proven time and time again that he's capable of being a starter in this league — he's just stuck behind two of the best linebackers in the NFL right now.

Sherwood deserves an opportunity as a full-time starter. That opportunity might just come with the Jets in the near future.

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