The New York Jets have reportedly signed former Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor to a one-year deal.
The New York Jets have signed another inside linebacker. In addition to the recently re-signed Neville Hewitt and James Burgess, Patrick Onwuasor joins the fold.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it’s a one-year deal for the former Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker who attempted to replace C.J. Mosley as the top dog a year ago.
Source: The #Jets have agreed to terms with former Ravens LB Patrick Onwuasor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020
Onwuassor, 27, is a true second-level backer. This means he does not play the edge, despite pretty solid sack numbers. Two seasons ago, he tallied 5.5 sacks 16 games and a year ago he put up 3.0.
Onwuasor now joins a crowded position that already features the aforementioned Mosley, Hewitt and Burgess, the returning Avery Williamson, and sophomore Blake Cashman. That’s six individuals for a position that usually carries four or five (tops) within the 3-4 scheme.
Williamson, 28, of course, missed the entire 2019 season due to injury. Despite his stellar 2018 campaign, his status has been in doubt moving forward. Joe Douglas and the Jets can save $6.5 million under the cap if released. Speculation will now run wild thanks to this most recent linebacker grab.
Onwuasor signed with the Ravens in 2016 as an undrafted free agent, dressing for 11 games that season and starting one. It wasn’t until 2017 that the kid was bumped up into a starting role. That year, he tallied 90 tackles and collected a sack in 13 games started.
Over the last two years, his playing time diminished. He started 12 games in 2018 and eventually fell out of favor with the coaching staff in 2019. After starting the first five games and averaging 56.8 snaps, Onwausor missed two games with an ankle injury and was demoted to a rotational role upon returning, averaging 21.7 snaps over his final 10 games.
