The Jets signed outside linebacker Jerry “Jerry” Attaochu on Monday.
He enters the building as perhaps the Jets’ best edge-rusher.
He was cut by the San Francisco 49ers on the final cut down, but it’s unclear why they signed him in the first place. He’s a 3-4 OLB, and they play a 4-3. In San Francisco, he was a bad scheme fit.
Attaochu, a Georgia Tech-product, was drafted in the second-round of the 2014 draft by the San Diego Chargers. He is a 6-3, 252-pounder who ran a 4.58 forty at this Pro Day. Those are terrific triangle numbers for a 3-4 OLB.
He never could really gain much traction with the Chargers, due to being a backup or injuries. His last two years there he was stuck behind the dynamic duo of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. It was hard for him to get on the field with that tandem in front of him.
In 2016, Attaochu also missed some time due to ankle and foot issues.
In the 2015, before Bosa’s arrival, he got 12 starts, and had six sacks.
As a senior at Georgia Tech, he had 12.5 sacks.
This signing makes a lot of sense.
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