Heading into training camp, defensive tackle was one of the positions where many felt the New York Jets needed reinforcements. The organization had an All-Pro in Quinnen Williams, but a lot of questions outside of him.
Those concerns have been quieted to some degree.
A few of New York’s key players at defensive tackle have stood out throughout training camp and preseason contests. Names like Jay Tufele and Byron Cowart brought questions at the beginning, but have since proved their worth.
More importantly, the group has gotten defensive coordinator Steve Wilks excited for the new season ahead.
Steve Wilks is optimistic about Jets’ underrated DTs
Throughout his decades of coaching defense, Wilks has understood that good defenses are built through the trenches. That’s why the focus has largely been on the Jets’ defensive tackles in camp.
Some of the top standouts over the last months have been the likes of Tufele, Cowart, and former UDFA Leonard Taylor III. With Williams as the central cog of the group, Wilks has liked what he’s seen – especially from the names that needed to step up over the last month.
“I love the fact that Jay (Tufele) has stepped up,” Wilks said before practice on Wednesday. “You look at Leonard Taylor, he’s doing some great things. I’m waiting to get BC back into the fold. I thought those guys are doing a great job.
“We’re looking for that balance that is going to be the opposite of Q (Quinnen Williams).”
It hasn’t been a perfect camp for all of New York’s tackles. Free agent pickup Derrick Nnadi has struggled to make an impact after being a part of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty over the last few years.
The Wednesday trade acquisitions of Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips may signal that Nnadi is a cut candidate following the final preseason game on Friday. With Briggs and Phillips now in the picture, New York’s tackle room has added two quality interior run defenders.
All a move like that does is enhance Wilks’ main talking point.
“I preach all the time to the defense that everything we do starts up front. I’m excited about what we’re doing right now,” he said.
None of New York’s preseason success means that they will be unblockable on the interior this season. But they are expected to be much better at stopping the run, a key issue that plagued the group throughout last season and in recent years.
With Wilks at the helm, there is a belief that New York can return to fielding one of the NFL’s best defenses. If their upstart tackles can all shine in key areas, those expectations will quickly become a reality.