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When the Jets lost free agent Bryce Huff to the Philadelphia Eagles, New York found itself in the market for a veteran edge defender. Unable to sign Jadeveon Clowney, Gang Green ended up filling the need with a player who was ironically rendered expendable by Huff’s arrival in Philly.
Haason Reddick is four years older than Huff, and the Jets may need to sign him to the kind of big-money contract extension that they opted against giving to Huff. However, they’re getting a player who is still in his prime and may be a better fit for the Jets’ defense in the short term.
Huff’s strong finish to the 2023 season ended with 10 sacks, after entering with just 7.5 sacks in his first three years. These numbers fall well short of what Reddick has produced over the past four seasons, as he’s had at least 11 sacks in each of those years, during which time he is fourth in the entire NFL for total sacks.
Of course, the Eagles are gambling on the fact that Huff is an ascending player, whose production will continue to increase as he enters his prime. Huff produced well in a rotational role, so he may also get to play more in their system, although the concern might be that this might lead to diminishing returns in terms of his pressure rates and overall impact.
The Jets are getting more of an established player, which is of particular importance to a team considered to be in win-now mode. Reddick was a Pro Bowler in 2022 and 2023 while making the All-Pro Second Team in 2022.
There may be a concern that he might start to slow down, as he will turn 30 in September. However, he hasn’t shown any signs of this so far, as he’s only missed one regular season game since being picked in the first round of the 2017 draft.
Reddick’s former Eagles teammate, Brandon Graham, is a good example of a pass rusher that has remained productive into his 30s. In fact, he made his first Pro Bowl at 32 and posted his career-high in sacks two years later. The Jets hope that Reddick does…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/haason-reddick-help-jets-2024-224314306.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-03-29 22:43:14
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