The Jets have traded Darron Lee, their starting inside linebacker for the past three seasons, to Kansas City for the Chiefs' sixth-round selection in next year's draft.
Lee was the Jets' first-round selection, 20th overall, in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. As a rookie, he initially played behind David Harris and Erin Henderson before taking over as the starter alongside Harris for the last six games that year. For the season he played in 13 games (missing Games 7-9 with an ankle injury), started nine, recorded 76 total tackles, had two half-sacks and made 10 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage on runs and passes.
In 2017, Lee's role expanded as he teamed up with Demario Davis on the inside, made 15 starts and notched 123 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss/no gain and three sacks. He also recorded his first two pro forced fumbles, in back-to-back division games against New England and at Miami.
Last season began as Lee's best. He grabbed his first two NFL interceptions, both in the third quarter against Matt Stafford in the primetime season opener at Detroit, taking the first 36 yards for his first pro touchdown. He added a third pick in Game 6 at home vs. Andrew Luck and Indianapolis, and his 82 return yards on the three INTs were the fifth-most by a linebacker in a season in franchise history.
He also registered 99 tackles and 7.5 for loss/no gain and committed no penalties in the first 12 games, all starts, before sitting the last four games for violating the NFL's PED policy. In all three of his Jets seasons combined, Lee played in 2,474 defensive snaps plus 290 more on special teams.
