The Senior Bowl showcased plenty of defensive players the New York Jets could target in the NFL draft
The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama featured plenty of offensive linemen and wide receivers who could see themselves wearing green and white come draft day. There were also plenty of defensive standouts that Joe Douglas and the New York Jets should be keeping their eye prior to the NFL combine later this month.
During my time in Mobile, these are the defensive players who stood out to me and could be available for the Jets.
Adisa Isaac, Edge – Penn State
With the Jets likely to move on from pass rusher Bryce Huff, Gang Green needs to find more depth on the edge. One of the most explosive prospects in Mobile was Penn State edge Adisa Isaac.
Throughout the duration of practice, Isaac was making waves on the National team (coached by Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich). He was dominant in both the run and pass game. The Penn State product ranked fifth among DL in Max Acceleration. This stat is used to indicate player start/stop time as well as directional change. Isaac also had the sixth-most explosive efforts through practice. It also seemed that Isaac had refined his pass rushing technique since the college season ended.
There were few offensive linemen able to keep Isaac in check at the Senior Bowl. RT Taliese Fuaga claimed Isaac to be the toughest defender he faced in Mobile. His ability to rush from any stance is a huge benefit to that and showed itself regularly at practice. Here Isaac quickly explodes in what would be a sack during “live” practice.
Adisa Isaac is too fast! High motor on every play. Would’ve been a big sack. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/Fzea5nJAw3
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) February 1, 2024
One concern of Isaac was his play strength heading into the Senior Bowl. It seems to be a critique that the Penn State product didn’t take lightly. While Isaac was able to routinely defeat offensive linemen with a quick burst and finesse, he also proved the strength to rip and force his way to the quarterback.
#PSU DE Adisa Isaac consistently captured the edge and displayed sound technique to beat tackles during the Senior Bowl. Super impressed with the reps in one-on-ones and team. pic.twitter.com/oM68VAWGle
— Dominic White (@DomWWhite) February 2, 2024
While Isaac’s bend and timing could be a little better, he can be molded into a solid all-around defender at the next level with the right coaching. Regardless, he should give offensive linemen fits at the next level as he continues to grow into his frame.
At the moment, projections for Isaac range from late Day 2 to a Day 3 prospect. The Senior Bowl could have raised his draft stock going forward, but if he’s able to sneak into Day 3, Isaac is a player who could cause fits in Robert Saleh’s system with the Jets.
Javon Solomon, Edge – Troy
Javon Solomon is an undersized edge at six feet, but his 80-inch reach provides unique opportunities for his development. The Troy product led the nation in sacks this past year, and that potential showed up at the Senior Bowl.
During the college season, it appeared that Solomon could improve his burst off the line. In Mobile, that concern disappeared, with Solomon consistently showcasing sufficient burst and finesse to win reps.
Javon Solomon from Troy beating Utah's Sataoa Laumea with speed at the top of the screen and Austin Booker flashing the power in his hands at the bottom. Two quality edge rushers who flashed across multiple days at the Senior Bowl. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2024 #2024NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/zjd1sfPaLE
— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) February 3, 2024
As an undersized edge, Solomon won his reps more often than not. He changes his pass-rush direction effectively enough to consistently fool offensive linemen and is quick enough to win with inside moves after suggesting outside on the initial burst. This one-on-one rep exemplifies this.
Troy’s Javon Solomon led the nation in sacks this season with 16. He’s smaller at 6’0, 247-pounds. However, there’s no questioning his pass-rush plan. Nice inside move here. pic.twitter.com/mVNqKgXXg7
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) January 30, 2024
Like the aforementioned Isaac, Solomon performed well within the stats tracked at the Senior Bowl. Solomon finished among the top 10 in top speed (18.12 MPH – 7th), max acceleration (8th) and deceleration (3rd), explosive efforts (7th), and distance traveled (8th).
Given his unique length for a player his size, Solomon could be a toolsy prospect for the Jets on Day 3. Considering their need for added depth at the position, I believe the Troy product should be on the Jets’ radar.
Tyler Davis, DL – Clemson
Tyler Davis is an athletic specimen. While his initial step could be quicker, Davis is incredibly strong and has good speed. Davis reportedly can bench up to 405 pounds with ease, putting up 225 pounds 30 times – while deadlifting 655 pounds.
To be honest, Davis probably could have hoped for a better Senior Bowl showing, as he didn’t dominate one-on-one drills like many had hoped he would. However, there were still flashes of his potential during the “live” portions of practice. Here we see Davis (as well as the aforementioned Adisa Isaac) utilize his hands fantastically, quickly winning his rep and pressuring Bo Nix.
Clemson’s Tyler Davis applies pressure inside with a club-swim while Penn State’s Adisa Isaac wins outside with a double swipe-rip.
That sets Oregon’s Khyree Jackson up with the PBU. Nice team effort at the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/nNhn8bwBlY
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 1, 2024
While Davis’ aggressive nature was his detriment in one-on-one reps at the Senior Bowl, it proved fruitful in practice. What was also on display was the Clemson product’s strength and desire to fight through a double team. Here he throws his defenders to the side with ease, slowing the RB after a short gain and allowing the safety to finish the tackle.
Good reps on defense from @PennStateFball DL Adisa Isaac, @ClemsonFB DL Tyler Davis, and @Utah_Football S Cole Bishop. Isaac attacked pulling guard w/ aggression, Davis beat a double team, and Bishop laid the hit stick #seniorbowl #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/k5fdA7h4Cz
— B.J. Monacelli (@bjmonacelli) January 30, 2024
Davis is a bit undersized (6’1″) and raw as a prospect, and his performance in individual drills from the Senior Bowl may hurt his draft stock. While that’s something that Davis undoubtedly wouldn’t want to happen, it could be good news for the Jets. Falling as a potential later Day 3 pick, Davis could be a project worth investing in, capable of providing good depth behind Quinnen Williams.
Speaking to the Clemson product at the Senior Bowl, Davis told me that he would be willing to play wherever coaches needed him, and do whatever was asked. A player with that type of unpacked potential and willingness to learn could become a great addition to an attacking defense with the Jets.
