The New York Jets’ run defense needs help – especially up the middle.
In 2024, New York was consistently steamrolled in power-running situations. They allowed opponents to convert 76.9% of their rush attempts with two or fewer yards to go, which ranked second-worst in the NFL behind Jacksonville. The Jets also yielded 22 rushing touchdowns, tying them with Carolina for the fourth-most.
Every defensive position contributes to these metrics, but the interior defensive line is at the heart of it all.
Quinnen Williams is about as good as it gets when it comes to interior run defense, but he has not had much help in recent years. The Jets have surrounded Williams with players like Quinton Jefferson and Javon Kinlaw, who provide much more in the pass game than in the run game.
Going into 2025, the Jets still do not have a well-rounded stud to pair with Williams on the interior, but they do have their most accomplished run-stuffer in years: Derrick Nnadi.
The 30-year-old logged 115 appearances across seven seasons with the Chiefs, including 87 starts. While he did little in the pass game (5 sacks), Nnadi carved out a role with his strong run defense.
Statistically, Nnadi was viewed as one of the NFL’s best run-stopping defensive tackles over his first three seasons. Since then, however, his stats have dropped to poor levels.
Are the stats exaggerating Nnadi’s decline? Could he still provide a boost for the Jets’ struggling run defense?
Only the film can answer those questions.
Below is Blewett’s Blitz’s full Derrick Nnadi scouting report (strengths and weaknesses) and film review.
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