The New York Jets got down to business at the NFL Combine, as they already managed to work out a trade that sends defensive end Jermaine Johnson away to an AFC rival and brings a space-eating defensive tackle back the other way.
Johnson was traded to the Tennessee Titans, now manned by former New York head coach Robert Saleh, in a one-for-one player exchange that brings nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat to Gang Green. Aaron Glenn is investing a ton of resources in trying to stop the run effectively.
Bringing in a player like Sweat could mean that some of the other defensive linemen on the team could see their roles change in a significant way. Veteran Harrison Phillips put together a robust season for the Jets, but adding Sweat may push him out of a starting role.
Jets may cut Harrison Phillips after T'Vondre Sweat acquisition
Phillips was a quality run stuffer last year, which is exactly what the Jets acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings to do. Phillips was an exemplary leader, so much so that it should not surprise anyone if he earns a captain patch, should he remain on the roster.
However, Phillips has next to no upside as a pass rusher, and his skills in run defense were ultimately overshadowed by the fact that he was unable to trouble opposing quarterbacks at all. Sweat may not be John Randle as a pass rusher, but he can be disruptive on the interior.
Sweat, a former second-round pick out of Texas who clocks in at over 360 pounds, was Pro Football Focus' fifth-best defensive tackle last year. He also ranked as the 14th-best as far as overall pass rush grade is concerned. As a result, the Jets have made a significant improvement to their defensive tackle room.
One of the few young players who excelled last season was fellow defensive tackle dart throw Jowon Briggs. Both Briggs and Sweat will be starting next season, be it with three or four down defensive linemen on every play. With a player like Arvell Reese or Rueben Bain Jr. coming to town via the NFL Draft, Glenn may be cooking something on the defensive line.
Unfortunately, in order to remake the defense in his vision, Glenn might need to jettison a leader like Phillips. Look for the Jets to possibly do right by him and send him to a team capable of competing for a championship if they go down this path.