7. New York Jets
Interestingly enough, New York’s success on defense was more predicated on interior pass rush than on strong play from the EDGE positions or in the secondary. That’s an odd realization for a team that runs a base 3-4 scheme under head coach Todd Bowles.
The defensive line trio of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams combined for 20 sacks while a total of seven players tallied three-plus quarterback take downs on the season. Add in the likely emergence of Lorenzo Mauldin this season, and this area is going to be a continued strength.
Also a strength, New York’s secondary was more than up for the task a season ago. While the Jets did rank in the bottom third of the NFL in passing yards allowed, they yielded a 79.0 quarterback rating.
Regression from Darrelle Revis in his first season back in New York wasn’t enough for this aspect of the team’s defense to take a step back. Some of that had to do with the performances of safeties Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist. Though, it’s more than likely the team’s pass rush played a larger role here.
As it is, the Jets have enough talent on all three tiers of the defense to continue performing at a high level. That much is clear.