Assessing the NY Jets coaching staff’s defensive Senior Bowl roster

Intriguing defensive prospects await the New York Jets coaching staff at the Senior Bowl

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is a defensive-minded coach who saw his defense rank last in yards allowed per game in 2021 (397.6).

Saleh, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and the rest of the Jets’ defensive coaches are being presented with the great opportunity to coach the Senior Bowl. They will be able to work with some top 2022 NFL draft prospects, which can be crucial for them to get their unit going in the right direction.

The Jets coaching staff will be working with the National team at the Senior Bowl. As of Jan. 20, the entire defensive roster of the National team has been revealed.

Let’s evaluate the defensive players the Jets coaching staff will have for Senior Bowl week by position group.

Defensive Line

• Arnold Ebiketie (Penn State)
• Haskell Garrett (Ohio State)
• Logan Hall (Houston)
• Travis Jones (Connecticut)
• Boye Mafe (Minnesota)
• Otito Ogbonnia (UCLA)
• Esezi Otomewo (Minnesota)
• Dominique Robinson (Miami University at Ohio)
• Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati)
• Tyreke Smith (Ohio State)
• Isaiah Thomas (Oklahoma)
• Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)

The top three headliners of this group are Myjai Sanders, Arnold Ebiketie, and Perrion Winfrey.

Sanders and Ebiketie are both very talented edge defenders. Either one is a potential option for the Jets with one of their two early second-round selections (35 and 38).

Winfrey is touted as one of the better interior defensive line prospects in this class. He is projected to go in the second round.

In Haskell Garrett and Travis Jones, the Jets have two interesting defensive tackle prospects with third and fourth-round projections.

Logan Hall and Boye Mafe both make for some potentially intriguing edge depth in the third round.

Tyreke Smith is an edge defender with 39 games played at Ohio State over the last four years. He had five tackles for loss in 2021.

Otitio Ogbonnia is a big defensive tackle (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) with a background in track.

Isaiah Thomas appeared in 43 games throughout the last four seasons at Oklahoma. He put together good pass-rushing production the last two years (8.5 sacks in 2020, eight sacks in 2021).

Dominique Robinson is a fascinating prospect. He was a wide receiver up until the 2020 season, which is when he became an edge defender. Robinson is still new to the position, but he does possess the athleticism and the size to improve as an edge rusher.

Esezi Otomewo has good height as a defensive lineman (6-foot-6) with 44 games played.

Linebacker

• Troy Andersen (Montana State)
• Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma)
• Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati)
• Terrel Bernard (Baylor)
• Devin Lloyd (Utah)
• Jesse Luketa (Penn State)
• Chad Muma (Wyoming)
• Mike Rose (Iowa State)
• Sterling Weatherford (Miami University at Ohio)

Devin Lloyd is the clear-cut top prospect out of this group. He is coming off a great year (110 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and four interceptions). He possesses a tremendous frame for a linebacker (6-foot-3, 235 pounds). Lloyd will likely be a first-round pick.

Some of the other standouts of this bunch are Chad Muma, Brian Asamoah, Terrel Bernard, and Darrian Beavers. They will all likely be third and fourth-round selections and could very well be in play for the Jets at that part of the draft.

Mike Rose is a big and tall linebacker (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). He appeared in 49 games in his four years of college.

Jesse Luketa is a day three target who totaled 8.5 tackles for loss in 2021.

Troy Andersen is talented athletically. He has played different positions on each side of the football. In 2021, he had two interceptions.

Sterling Weatherford is a big safety (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) who will be converting to linebacker.

Defensive Back

• Coby Bryant (Cincinnati)
• Tariq Castro-Fields (Penn State)
• Kerby Joseph (Illinois)
• Gregory Junior (Ouachita Baptist)
• Damarri Mathis (Pittsburgh)
• Jalen Pitre (Baylor)
• Jaylen Watson (Washington State)
• Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State)
• JT Woods (Baylor)

Jalen Pitre will likely be the earliest-selected prospect of this group. He could be a potential option for the Jets in the third round.

Coby Bryant, Kerby Joseph, and Pitre’s Baylor teammate JT Woods are the next few top players from the group. They could be in play for the Jets at the beginning of day three of the draft.

Tariq Castro-Fields is probably going to be a fourth or fifth-round pick. He possesses the measurables to play on the outside with his length (6-foot) and speed.

Damarri Mathis will probably be a day three selection. After not playing in 2020 due to injury, he bounced back with a solid year (two interceptions, six pass deflections).

Jaylen Watson offers huge length for a cornerback (6-foot-3) and had two interceptions on the year.

Both Gregory Junior and Joshua Williams come from smaller schools. In 2021, Junior recorded seven pass deflections. Williams provides great height (6-foot-3). He recorded three interceptions his senior year.