USAT: Jets Wire audio clip

USAT: Jets Wire

Feb 18, 2022

An edge rusher with a couple of connections to the Jets staff just hit the open market. - The Falcons released defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. on Wednesday after two seasons in Atlanta. Fowler was always going to be released this offseason after restructuring his contract, but cutting him before the league year gives him and teams more time to negotiate. He tallied 4.5 sacks and forced three fumbles in 2021 and has 35 career sacks since being drafted third overall in 2015. - The 27-year-old Fowler should be on the Jets’ radar in free agency. Not only is he young, but he’ll also be one of the better and cheaper options. He took a $6 million pay cut in 2021 to remain with the Falcons and likely wouldn’t command the three-year, $45 million deal he signed in 2020. - Fowler fills an obvious need for the Jets. New York lacks reliable pass rushers on the edge and there’s no telling how Carl Lawson will recover from a devastating Achilles tear. Bryce Huff is young and still developing while Jonathan-Franklin-Myers is closer to a full-fledged defensive end than a true edge. Fowler could be a situational speed rusher on the edge with his 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame. - This wouldn’t be the first time the Jets pursue Fowler, though previous efforts were during Mike Maccagnan’s tenure as general manager. The Jets offered a third- and fifth-round pick to the Jaguars in 2018 before Jacksonville traded Fowler to the Rams. New York then pursued Fowler in free agency before he signed with the Falcons. - It’s unclear if Joe Douglas is as infatuated with Fowler as Maccagnan was, but Fowler has experience playing under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich. Saleh was Fowler’s linebacker coach in Jacksonville during his first two seasons in the league (although his rookie season was lost due to an ACL injury). Fowler also played under Ulbrich with the Falcons in 2020. - Snagging Fowler off the open market would give the Jets a little more positional flexibility in the 2022 draft as well. Pass rusher is a need, but the best ones will likely be scooped up by the time the Jets pick at No. 4, meaning New York would either need to trade back or reach with their first four selections. Douglas can focus his efforts on other positions – such as offensive line, cornerback or receiver – instead of pass rusher if the Jets sign Fowler. - There aren’t many young, solid options in free agency. Von Miller, Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul and Akiem Hicks are on the wrong side of 30, and players like Jadeveon Clowney or Haason Reddick could get expensive. Fowler is a good blend of what the Jets need and would be a great target before the draft. - - List - - 2022 NFL draft: Jets get Zach Wilson protection, land top cornerback in Todd McShay's latest mock - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Jets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t