PFF: Jets linebackers near bottom of positional rankings

Pro Football Focus isn’t too fond of the linebackers the New York Jets sport.

The latest installment of the football analytics outlet’s position rankings went to linebackers. There, New York is led by CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams.

Both pose question marks looking ahead and the football analytics outlet really knocked the Jets’ man in the middle in Mosley.

Here’s how PFF explained the ranking:

After sitting out in 2020, C.J. Mosley endured the worst-graded season of his NFL career. That 42.0 mark was his first time dropping below 70.0 since 2015. He had been one of the more consistent players at the position in the NFL, and so there’s a chance he regains his form.

In a potentially improved Mosley, PFF makes it clear where he needs to be better. His overall grade from PFF last year was tough enough, his mark specifically against the run was even worse. PFF’s metrics handed Mosley a 38.5 run defense grade in 2021.

That does match the eye test and basic numbers as well. New York had the NFL’s fourth-worst run defense in the league last season. That doesn’t all fall on the linebackers, but they factor in.

On Williams, the jury is very much still out. After being claimed on waivers by the Jets in 2021, he is heading into his first full offseason with the team. Williams himself predicts a Pro Bowl effort from himself in 2022–time will tell.