Can New York Jets replace Carl Lawson after top pass rusher's season-ending injury?
GREEN BAY, Wis. — We always knew this week of practice was going to be a huge challenge for the New York Jets. They are a rebuilding team, and the Green Bay Packers are a Super Bowl contender.
And at times, that gulf between these two squads was very apparent on the practice field. But this was an opportunity for the Jets to learn — both about themselves and about what it takes to be a contender.
In that sense, it was a very good and useful week for the Jets. But it was also a tough week, with the season-ending injury to defensive end Carl Lawson. So with all of that in mind, here are the five big takeaways from their joint practices with the Packers.
Irreplaceable?
When Lawson ruptured his Achilles tendon on Thursday, it was a gut-punch moment for the Jets, as they lost the one player who had the biggest chance to be a difference-maker on their defense. Robert Saleh's scheme relies on getting push from the defensive line, especially the edge rusher. And the Jets just lost the one guy who had the chance to be the best edge-rushing threat they've had in the last 15 years, and their biggest free-agent signing of the offseason — Lawson joined on a three-year, $45 million deal this offseason.
So what are their options to replace him? Well, of the options on the roster, Bryce Huff is likely to get the first crack in his stead. Huff has shown promise in training camp after a strong finish to 2020. But it's hard to imagine him having anything near the impact of Lawson, who had one of the best win rates among defensive linemen in the NFL last season. And the other options to replace him on the roster are not ideal: 2020 third-round pick Jabari Zuniga continues to struggle with injury and has yet to make a meaningful impact, free agent pickup Ronald Blair is coming off a major injury and hasn't played since 2019, and both Vinny Curry and Kyle Phillips have yet to play in training camp because of injuries
The Jets could add a veteran free agent like Olivier Vernon, on a short-term team-friendly deal. This seems like the most likely solution, as Joe Douglas hasn't shown a willingness to part with future cap space or draft assets. That makes a trade for an impact edge rusher — like Arizona's Chandler Jones unlikely.
Honest evaluation on the o-line
Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur turned some heads on Thursday when he offered his thoughts on the current state of the offensive line and, in particular, left tackle Mekhi Becton.
LaFleur said the offensive line hasn't provided "great pass protection" in nearly two weeks. And that Becton is "going through some things right now. He’s not playing at his best and he knows that."
Anyone who has had the chance to see Becton practice regularly during training camp has seen his struggles to contain Lawson, so this wasn't exactly breaking news. But it was still jarring to hear the offensive coordinator give such an honest assessment of what was happening. But it's also not a reason to be alarmed. Becton is young, just 22 years old and in his second season. And pass protection has always been the area of his game that needs the most improvement.
And if you listened closely to LaFleur, he was also clear that Becton has some growing to do but he's on the right track.
"I got all the confidence in the world in Mekhi because one, I know how talented he is and two, he’s a good dude and he’s going to work through all this stuff," LaFleur said. "We got a long way to go across that whole front, across this whole offense and myself included. He’ll keep on going, we’re only one preseason game in, we still have over three and a half weeks until we go out and play Carolina. Every day, there’s still slight improvements that he’s making and we’re just trying to take it one day at a time right now."
Making an impression at RB
It's flown under the radar a little bit, but second-year running back La'Mical Perine has had a strong training camp, including a nice touchdown run against the Giants in the preseason opener. And he's continued to impress during the practices in Green Bay, showing a power-running ability that is unique among the Jets running backs.
Perine seems to have added some muscle to his frame this offseason and has been more willing to lower his shoulder to pick up yards.
"He’s the biggest of the backs," Saleh said of the 5-11, 215-pound Perine. "He’s got the ability to violently cut and get downhill, also. He’s starting to take to and try and create that identity that we all think he can be in terms just being that power back, that bruiser, that dirty yard that we need."
Saleh cited one play in particular during Wednesday's red zone session against the Packers that highlighted Perine's potential.
"He sprung it outside, caught the corner and basically walked in the end zone," Saleh said. "It was in the red zone period. He’s got the ability to go inside and out and as soon as he establishes himself with that identity that we all think he has, I think it’ll open up a lot of different avenues for him."
What we learned about Zach Wilson
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson didn't have a breakout practice or moment against the Packers this week. But quietly he continues to show that he's making progress, which should be encouraging to the Jets and their fans. Over the course of the two days, the Jets' offense looked overmatched at times, going against a Packers defense that has an ability to put pressure on the quarterback — they sacked Wilson at least 12 times in team drills during the two practices.
And Wilson got his first true test against a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in Jaire Alexander. And he got a 'welcome to the NFL' type moment early Thursday's practice when he tried to force a pass to Corey Davis and Alexander made a nice play for an interception.
But that was Wilson's only pick in the two practices. Generally, the young quarterback did a good job of making quick, smart decisions and getting rid of the ball quickly during the practices.
"In The NFL you literally have one hitch to get rid of the football otherwise you’re going to get hit, that’s league wide," Saleh said. "You can have the best o-line in the league, you’re still going to have traffic in and around the quarterback. Zach’s got to learn to execute in the rhythm of the play, get the ball in and out of his hands as quickly as possible because he can alleviate some of the pressure on the offensive line by being decisive and being quick with his decision-making. Either way, I thought he did a really nice job."
How the DBs dealt with a big challenge
Second-year cornerback Bryce Hall had a strong showing against the Packers in the joint practices, especially on the first day when he was able to force a couple of incompletions when Aaron Rodgers was looking to connect with Davante Adams. On Thursday, Adams and Rodgers got the best of the Jets in the red zone, but as the rest of the league can attest to — those guys are hard to stop.
Saleh said that it was a learning process for the cornerbacks but one that was valuable for them.
"All of them battled their butts off," Saleh said. "Like I've always said, there’s a game within a game that’s being played by the receiver and the DB. And there’s a feeling-out period where just trust your technique, trust the work that you’ve put in.
"Don’t make it streetball. If you make it streetball, these great receivers will kind of embarrass you, and I thought the guys settled in. ... Early was a little shaky, they finished strong, which it goes back to their mindset and the testament to them."
Overall, the Packers got the best of the Jets' defensive backs, but it was still an encouraging week, especially for Hall who held his own. One lingering question mark? Bless Austin wasn't on the field for Thursday's practice and it's unclear why. Undrafted free agent Isaiah Dunn replaced him.