This is the eight and final installment of our position-by-position breakdown as we head to the April 30 draft:
Position: Defensive line
Current personnel: Muhammad Wilkerson (signed through 2015), Sheldon Richardson (2016), Damon Harrison (2015), Leger Douzable (2015), Kevin Vickerson (2015), Stephen Bowen (2015), T.J. Barnes (2016), Ronald Talley (2015).
Projected starters: Wilkerson, Richardson, Harrison.
Departures: Kenrick Ellis (free agent/New York Giants).
Total cap charge: DE -- $9.35 million (Ranking: 20th). DT -- $7.45 million (18th).
Scouting report: The New York Jets have one of the top, young defensive lines in the league, and they added veteran depth by signing Vickerson, Bowen and Talley. They also retained Douzable, which was a smart move. For now, it's not about adding talent, it's about allocating resources, as the salaries are poised to skyrocket over the next few years. It'll start with Wilkerson, who is entering the final year of his contract. Their goal is to lock him up to a long-term deal before the season. Harrison, who will play this season for the amount of his RFA tender ($2.4 million), is due to hit unrestricted free agency in 2016. In 2017, it'll be Richardson's turn for a big score. From a financial standpoint, it won't be easy to keep the "Sons of Anarchy" together for the long term. Such is life in the salary-cap era.
The last defensive lineman drafted: Richardson was a first-round pick in 2013, easily the best move of the failed John Idzik regime.
Potential targets: USC's Leonard Williams, arguably the top player in the draft, took a pre-draft visit to the Jets. It would be a major upset if he gets past the Oakland Raiders (No. 4 pick), but it's always good business to perform due diligence even though it makes little sense for the Jets to draft another defensive lineman in the first round (they did it in 2011, 2012 and 2013). The Jets' pick (No. 6) would increase in value if Williams falls to them, setting up a possible trade down. End Mario Edwards (Florida State), a second-round prospect, also visited. Kristjan Sokoli (Buffalo), a possible late rounder, also visited. If the Jets draft a defensive lineman, it would be a value pick, not need. If there's one position they don't need to address, it's the defensive line.
Need rating (scale of 1 to 10): 1.
