The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the New York Jets and preview how it might perform this season.
New York Jets 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Jets struggled to stop the run last season, allowing 4.4 yards per carry to running backs (21st), but they were seventh in yards before contact allowed on those runs. New York beefed up the defensive line this offseason, trading for T’Vondre Sweat and signing David Onyemata.
Onyemata is in the later stages of his career, but he has been a consistent force against the run throughout his career. Sweat is only entering the third year of his career, but he also already has a strong track record defending the run.
The Jets ranked dead last in pressure rate last season and 31st with just 26 total sacks. Jermaine Johnson was dealt in the trade that brought in Sweat, but Will McDonald is back to lead the pass rush. He has a solid 13.1% career pressure rate and 21.5 sacks in 47 games. McDonald will be joined by No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, and the Jets also added Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare in free agency.
Quincy Williams left in free agency, but New York brought in veteran Demario Davis to take his spot. Originally a third-round pick by the Jets in 2012, Davis is entering his 15th season in the league at age 37. Davis was still productive in the running game last season, recording the second-most run stuffs among qualified linebackers. Adding Davis should be good for Jamien Sherwood, who took a small step back last season but was still effective in the running game.
The pass defense fell apart last season, allowing 7.5 yards per pass attempt and finishing last in EPA per pass attempt allowed. Infamously, they did not record a single interception all season. The environment did not help Brandon Stephens, but he struggled in his first season with the team. A third-round pick last year, Azareye’h Thomas was on the field for just 311 snaps over 12 games. The team did add Nahshon Wright in free agency, but second-round pick D’Angelo Ponds should get every opportunity to earn a role in this secondary.
The corner group could also get a boost from Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was acquired this offseason and joins a solid-looking safety room. Dane Belton was added from the cross-town Giants in free agency. A fourth-round pick last year, Malachi Moore did not have the best rookie campaign, but he was given a big role in a bad situation. The Jets also somewhat surprisingly brought back Andre Cisco, who lasted just eight games in his first season with the Jets last year.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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