The Jets entered this off-season with needs at cornerback & wide receiver as well as a plan to improve their mediocre pass rush. Through four trades & this signing — the trades were for cornerback Antonio Cromartie & wide receiver Santonio Holmes — the Jets addressed all two before the draft.The move came four days before the start of the N.F.L. draft & it addressed yet another need, giving General Manager Mike Tannenbaum additional flexibility on Thursday night.
The Jets envision using Taylor in a slightly different role than the Dolphins did. The Jets would prefer to use Taylor only as a pass rusher & linebacker Bryan Thomas would share snaps with Taylor, depending on the in-game situation.
In Taylor, the Jets add a six-time Pro Bowl linebacker/defensive finish hybrid who ranks among the most prolific pass rushers of his generation. Taylor turns 36 on Sept. 1, but they he had a productive season in 2009 with five sacks & 42 tackles.
Despite their defense’s No. 1 overall ranking, the Jets recorded 32 sacks last season, 18th in the N.F.L. Coach Rex Ryan made improving that rush a priority this off-season.
The Taylor signing does not shut the door on the Jets drafting another pass rusher. In lieu, it allows Tannenbaum to draft the best player on the board, be it a safety, cornerback or edge rusher.
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