On Tuesday we wrapped up the first week of free agency as it impacted the Jets' offense. Today we turn to the defense. Here's a review of the new arrivals, the recent departures, the former Jets in holding patterns, and how the churning personnel has started to reshape each unit of the "D":
LINE
Still On Board: No new arrivals but two vets re-signed. Henry Anderson still has a home in Gregg Williams' 3-4 after coming over in a trade with the Colts and posting career highs with seven sacks, 16 QB hits, 35 tackles, four PDs and two blocked kicks. The venerable McLendon will begin his 10th pro season and fourth in green and white as a strong run-stuffer and inspirational DL leader. Also, Bronson Kaufusi was tendered as an ERFA.
Departures: Mike Pennel exited in free agency but Jets fans could see him twice in 2019 as a member of New England's D-line rotation.
LINEBACKERS
Arrivals: C.J. Mosley is a huge signing for the Jets, not just in the size of his deal but in his potential impact. He wasn't big in sacks for the Ravens from 2014-18 but he was in everything else: 574 total tackles, 9 INTs, 35 PDs, 6 forced fumbles, 6 recoveries, 43 TFLs. Next to top tackler Avery Williamson, what a middle of the D.
Departure: The Jets decided not to pick up Kevin Pierre-Louis' option, making him a street free agent.
Still On Board: Neville Hewitt signed to return Monday after providing strong special teams for 12 games and solid fill-in ILB play for Darron Lee the last four games. Solid rookie FA contributor Frankie Luvu and Anthony Wint both were tendered as ERFAs.
Holding Patterns: Four Jets vets remain unsigned UFAs — Brandon Copeland, Josh Martin, Jeremiah Attaochu and Emmanuel Lamur.
Take a Look Through the Free Agency Additions, Re-Signings and Acquisitions Held at 1 Jets Drive
LB C.J. Mosley
RB Le'Veon Bell
CB Brian Poole
G Kelechi Osemele
RB Le'Veon Bell
WR Josh Bellamy
CB Darryl Roberts
WR Jamison Crowder
DL Henry Anderson
K Chandler Catanzaro
RB Le'Veon Bell
LB C.J. Mosley
CB Brian Poole
WR Josh Bellamy
RB Le'Veon Bell
WR Josh Bellamy
DL Henry Anderson
DL Henry Anderson
WR Josh Bellamy
WR Josh Bellamy
OL Kelechi Osemele
SECONDARY
Arrivals: Brian Poole was signed as an unrestricted free agent after playing three seasons for Atlanta. He started 21 games for the Falcons, had a career high last year with three interceptions, and was among the NFL's CB pass rushers with three sacks and five QB hits.
Departures: Buster Skrine, the athletic and team-oriented CB who had four up-and-down seasons with the Jets, has moved on to the Bears as a UFA. Terrence Brooks, who contributed to the Green & White the past two years mostly as a top special-teamer, is now a Patriot.
Still On Board: Darryl Roberts, who last season became the first Jet to start at least five games at both corner and safety in the same season in more than 30 years, re-signed. S Doug Middleton and CB Jeremy Clark both were tendered as ERFAs.
Holding Patterns: Morris Claiborne has started 30 Jets games at RCB the past two years and is coming off the best of his seven pro seasons in terms of picks (2), PDs (14), tackles (57) and TD returns (1). Will the Jets re-sign Mo, seek out another veteran CB free agent, or do they have that starter on their roster in Poole, Roberts, Rashard Robinson or second-year man Parry Nickerson?
