Entering the NFL draft, the biggest concern surrounding Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, whom the New York Jets ultimately selected at No. 2 overall, was his struggles as a run defender.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was asked about Bailey’s perceived woes against the run, to which he brushed off.
“Don’t care. Can he rush the passer? That’s what we’re looking for,” he said.
The veteran coach also elaborated on how many college EDGEs aren’t asked to play the run in the modern game.
“Have you been seeing what we’re doing? We’re teaching him how to do what? Play the run. Because you’ve got to earn the right to rush the passer. If you don’t stop the run, they’re not going to throw the ball,” said Dunbar.
As Dunbar pointed out, rushing the passer and defending the run go hand in hand. If an EDGE is a full-blown liability against the run, they simply can’t be a three-down player in the NFL.
The good news for Jets fans is that Dunbar, who will be overseeing Bailey’s development, is one of the best defensive line coaches in football. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that there’s no guarantee his run defense will reach a competent level. Will McDonald is another Jet in a similar boat.
Aside from just Bailey, Dunbar will be tasked with significantly improving the Jets’ DL output as a whole. While the team made a plethora of offseason additions, this is still a unit that finished with just 26 sacks last year, ranking 31st in the league.
If there’s any coach to get the organization’s line back to an elite level, though, it’s Dunbar.
