The New York Jets made an all-out effort to revamp their defense in 2026 after a season in which they had zero interceptions and 26 sacks, while allowing 503 points.

New starters can be seen all over the defense, highlighted by former All-Pros Minkah Fitzpatrick and Demario Davis at safety and linebacker, respectively. Other veteran pickups like T’Vondre Sweat and Nahshon Wright have also generated excitement among Jets fans.

But the team’s most overlooked addition? That might be edge rusher Joseph Ossai.

Relative to the three-year, $34.5 million deal he signed, Ossai has flown under the radar this offseason. He could very well be a Week 1 starter for the team, but is rarely included among the list of upgrades made to New York’s defense.

Ossai, 26, was a third-round pick of the Bengals in 2021. His numbers don’t jump off the page, as he collected 14.5 sacks, 116 total tackles, and 16 tackles for loss across 61 games. His career-high for sacks is 5.0, which he hit in each of the last two seasons.

Is Ossai a good value at $11.5 million per year? What is his ideal role in the Jets’ defense?

The film tells all.

In the latest edition of Blewett’s Blitz, we answer those questions and more in a full-fledged breakdown of Ossai’s All-22 film.

Below is the full Joseph Ossai film review and scouting report (strengths and weaknesses).

Strengths:

  • Motor
  • Violent
  • Stacks well
  • Has decent straight line explosion
  • Can play outside and inside of tackle
  • Dropped into coverage some
  • Upper body strength
  • Core power
  • Club, rip, long arm, spin, chops and bull rush moves
  • Consistently working hands as pass rusher
  • Hands can be accurate
  • Will reduce stride while waiting for lineman’s punch
  • Can stand up pullers
  • Knock back power
  • Sets a strong edge
  • Lands hands inside in run game
  • Likes to dive into piles
  • Can stack pass rush moves
  • Has some speed
  • Brings thump
  • Continuously drives feet as a rusher

Weaknesses:

  • Tight
  • Not twitchy
  • Lateral movement
  • Balance
  • Can play high, both in run and pass
  • Change of direction
  • Bend
  • Can get caught of position vs. jet sweeps and end arounds
  • Tackle radius
  • Lacks counters
  • Hands land high and wide as bull rusher
  • Needs to be more liner in bull rush
  • Can get caught in chest as pass rusher
  • Can be late to throw pass rush hands
  • Want to see him work angles more as a rusher
  • Doesn’t finish sacks as much as you’d want