NY Jets have the 'undisputed best defense' in the NFL in 2024

The NY Jets understandably have high expectations for their defense entering the 2024 season. In fact, you could make a very strong case that the Jets have the best defense in the NFL at the moment.

That's exactly the sentiment shared by Pro Football Focus who recently declared the Jets as having the "undisputed best defense" in football entering this season. It's hard to argue that notion.

PFF has been releasing position group rankings ahead of the 2024 season this summer, and the Jets received the No. 1 ranking in all three defensive position groups: defensive line, linebacker, and secondary.

It's hard to believe there's been another defense to receive that type of praise in the PFF era. Of the six position groups PFF ranked on either side of the ball, the Jets rank first in three of them. That's extraordinarily high praise for the Jets' defense.

Will the NY Jets defense live up to expectations in 2024?

The Jets' defensive line features the likes of All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick, All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and Pro Bowl edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, among a host of other talented depth pieces.

Their linebacking corps is headed by the two-headed monster of Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley, who, following the departure of Patrick Queen from Baltimore, is likely the undisputed best linebacker duo in the NFL entering 2024.

Meanwhile, the Jets' secondary is led by one of the best cornerback trios in NFL history in Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II. The team's safety room isn't as strong as their other units, but their cornerbacks are enough to carry them to the No. 1 secondary ranking.

PFF believes the Jets have the best defensive line, best linebacker room, and best secondary in the NFL. Based on that logic, PFF clearly believes the Jets should have one of the best defenses in recent NFL history.

On paper, that's probably fairly accurate. The Jets have more All-Pros and Pro Bowlers on the defensive side of the ball than any other team in the NFL. The team has a whopping nine former first-round picks on defense as well, and that's not even including stars like Quincy Williams, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II.

The Jets finished the 2023 season tied for first in yards allowed per play at just 4.6. That's a remarkable stat, given the historic ineptitude of the team's offense. In fact, the Jets have ranked first in yards allowed per play in consecutive seasons.

Just imagine what a Jets defense with even semi-competent offensive play could look like. The Jets' defense has been routinely put in terrible situations over the last couple of years, and they've still arguably been the league's best unit.

Even if you're one of the skeptics not ready to crown the Jets' defense just yet, it's extremely difficult to argue that they don't have the most talented defense in the NFL on paper.

But the games aren't played on paper. This Jets team has a lot of narratives to quell this season. This is one of the narratives they need to confirm. The Jets need to prove the hype is real.