The last couple of seasons, the Jets’ interior run defense was problematic, with defensive tackles having issues getting engulfed by blockers.
So fixing this problem is a must for the new regime, and it’s clear they are aggressively tackling this issue, already signing three large, powerful defensive tackles in free agency – Derrick Nnadi, Jay Tufele and Byron Cowart.
But there is another player, quietly added late last season on waivers, who could help sure up the middle of their defensive line.
Massive defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick of the Washington Commanders, who the Jets claimed off waivers in December, certainly could help their interior run defense. Three other teams put in waiver claims. Mathis, who was injury-plagued in Washington, was highly regarded coming out of Alabama, where he was a captain. He is described by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein as a “Saban-style run-plugger with powerful hands and a dense anchor.”
So perhaps he can help fix a significant Jets shortcoming from the last two years – soft run defense up the middle.
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