This might be the position the Jets are least likeliest to draft. There is always a chance in the late rounds if someone is rated way above the others on their draft board, but this is probably a position they skip.
The Jets are actually deep at linebacker thanks to a season filled with injuries at the position. The team signed C.J. Mosley to a five-year, $85 million contract a year ago only to see him barely play due to groin and core muscle injuries.
Mosley is expected to be fully healthy for training camp and the Jets hope he can have the impact over a full season that he showed in the first three quarters of the season opener last year against the Bills before he was injured.
Avery Williamson was the other projected starting linebacker last year and he did not even play as much as Mosley. Williamson tore the ACL in his right knee in the preseason and missed the entire year. There was some thought that Williamson might be cut for salary-cap reasons, but his injury complicates that. Right now, he remains on the team and is in the final year of a three-year, $22.5 million deal.
Behind those two, the Jets re-signed Neville Hewitt and James Burgess in free agency. Both of them played well as substitutes last season. The Jets also signed Patrick Onwuasor from the Ravens in free agency. Blake Cashman, who showed some promise as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his year, is back also.
With all that depth in the linebacker room and needs all over the roster, the Jets should pass on linebackers this year. The only one who may object is special teams coordinator Brant Boyer if he has his eye on a linebacker who can contribute to his unit on Day 3 of the draft.
