If you ask any New York Jets fan what the team’s biggest issue on defense is, nearly all would say the run defense.
The Jets’ defense is littered with All-Pros and Pro Bowl-quality players. Despite this, they struggled to stop a nosebleed when it mattered most in 2024.
No matter how talented the stars, football is an 11-on-11 sport. You’re only as good as your weakest link. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the Jets seem to have a very weak link at defensive tackle. While Quinnen Williams is one of the best in the NFL, he can only do so much.
After struggling at the position beyond Williams in 2024, the Jets have done little to address the issue in 2025. The Jets did not take any defensive tackles in the draft, and their top two free agent signings, Derrick Nnadi and Byron Cowart, are low-tier starters at best.
While the Jets’ new additions aren’t encouraging, one player who was already on the roster provides some hope.
Leonard Taylor III provides the most upside at defensive tackle opposite of Quinnen Williams
Leonard Taylor III went undrafted in 2024 before signing with the Jets. He flashed in the preseason and earned himself a roster spot. In the regular season, Taylor would be the team’s fourth defensive tackle, playing 261 snaps (22.7%).
In fourteen games, Taylor accumulated 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, nine pressures, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection. While the numbers don’t leap off the page, his efficiency tells a different story.
Among 125 defensive tackles with at least 250 total snaps, Taylor ranked:
- 42nd in pressure rate (7.9%)
- 18th in sack rate (1.8%)
- 55th in run stop rate (6.1%)
- 36th in defensive stop rate (3.8%)
- 47th in overall PFF grade (62.7)
- 28th in PFF pass rush grade (69.9)
- 52nd in PFF run defense grade (56.9)
Taylor is at his best as a pass rusher, placing in the top-third among qualifiers in pressure rate and pass rush grade.
While it came in a small sample size, it’s encouraging that Taylor ranked in the top-50% in all of the metrics I listed above, including in the run game. For an undrafted free agent, he vastly exceeded expectations.
When you turn on the film, you see the same thing.
The film backs up Taylor’s encouraging rookie season
Jets X-Factor’s Joe Blewett will be doing a deep dive soon, but he provided some clips for my review here. We selected these plays to give an overall idea of Taylor’s strengths as well as areas he needs to improve in.
Here is an excellent pass rush rep against the Vikings in Week 5. With two linemen in front of him, Taylor (No. 96) uses his power to push through and sack Kirk Cousins. Taylor showcases an excellent first step and relentless motor. His speed allows him to create a one-on-one, as he beats the center before the guards can come over to help.
In the next clip, Taylor uses a pull and rip to get by the guard. While Taylor wins quickly, the quarterback gets the ball out before Taylor can bring him down.
With the good comes the bad. Against the run, Taylor can get knocked off balance too easily. On this play, a tight end surprises Taylor with the wham block and puts him on the ground.
Whether it was cracking blockers or double teams, Taylor struggled when hit from the side. However, he flashed the ability to disengage quickly when blocked one-on-one. Here, Taylor drives the center into the backfield and sheds the block for the TFL.
It’s encouraging that Taylor is at least not a complete liability in this area. Hopefully, his balance will improve as he gains experience. Playing next to Quinnen Williams, he should benefit from plenty of one-on-one opportunities.
Context is critical when looking at Taylor’s future
Despite going undrafted and not testing particularly well, Taylor displays explosiveness on film, beating opponents with speed. While run defense isn’t his strength, he flashed more than expected on film.
When looking only at rookies, Taylor stands out even more. He had the highest PFF pass rush grade, the fourth-highest pressure rate, and the fifth-highest overall PFF grade among 21 rookie defensive tackles with at least 100 snaps.
Even if Taylor makes marginal improvements, he would at least be a quality rotational player for the Jets. We saw a similar development path for Tony Adams. After playing 11 games with one start in his rookie season, the former UDFA would start 26 over the next two years.
The one problem for the Jets is that Taylor is a much better pass rusher than run stopper. More than that, he projects best as a 3-tech, the same spot as Williams. Good players are always welcome, but this leaves the Jets’ run defense concerns unaddressed.
There is still room for him to improve in this area, as he only turned 23 years old last month. A former five-star recruit, Taylor is brimming with talent waiting to be unlocked, and he has been putting in the work throughout the offseason.
Hard work goes a long way, so there is a real chance that Taylor will shock Jets fans and the rest of the NFL this season. If Taylor becomes reliable, Quinnen Williams can focus on dominating instead of propping up the rest of the Jets’ defense.