This is the sixth in a nine-part series examining the Jets’ needs position by position as free agency begins.

Currently on roster:

Muhammad Wilkerson

Age: 23

2012 stats: 70 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR

Mike DeVito

Age: 28

2012 stats: 52 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF

Quinton Coples

Age: 22

2012 stats: 30 tackles, 5 ½ sacks

Sione Po’uha

Age: 34

2012 stats: 29 tackles, 1 sack

Kenrick Ellis

Age: 25

2012 stats: 18 tackles, 0 sacks

Damon Harrison

Age: 24

2012 stats: 5 games played

Claude Davis

Age: 23

2012 stats: N/A

Tevita Finau

Age: 27

2012 stats: N/A

2013 free agents: DeVito

Overview: This unit showed the most promise for the Jets in 2012. Wilkerson really came on as the season went along and was playing at a Pro Bowl level in the second half of the season. Coples showed promise toward the end of the season as a pass rusher. There are still questions if he is an ever-down player, though.

DeVito was his usual solid self and showed some real versatility moving inside when injuries dictated they needed him there.

Po’uha was not himself all year after injuring his back in the preseason. He tried to play through it but was ineffective. The good news is he did not need surgery after the season. He is a key piece of the Jets defense they need to return to form. Ellis still has a long way to go to become a player the coaches can trust.

Offseason priority rating (1 to 5 with 5 being the highest priority): 2

Possible targets: Cheap backups

Costello’s call: This is one area the Jets are pretty set at. They should try to bring back DeVito, who is a leader in the locker room and a steady force on the field. I do not consider the rush ends that many people have the Jets drafting as defensive linemen. I will address them under linebackers because in the 3-4 that’s what they will be.

The Jets need to hope Po’uha’s back is OK and that Wilkerson and Coples continue to develop and they should be fine on the defensive line.

COMING TOMORROW: Linebackers