NFL Free Agency 2021: Ranking the top 5 signings so far

2. New York Jets signing DE Carl Lawson (3 year deal)

As dysfunctional as the Jets were under Adam Gase, it’s hard to believe they were able to reel in the guy I felt was arguably the best head coaching candidate on the market in 2021 — Robert Saleh of the San Francisco 49ers.

Saleh’s attitude and approach seem infectious and contagious, so it’s only a matter of time before the Jets‘ team culture is turned around.

In addition to getting some help in the playmaker department offensively, the Jets really needed to add a pass rusher off the edge. Getting Carl Lawson is a ridiculous haul for them at just $15 million per season on a three-year deal with $30 million guaranteed.

When you scan over the top edge rusher contracts in the NFL right now, $15 million is well below the re-established market value for guys.

Carl Lawson may not have proven as much at this point as someone like Joey Bosa or Myles Garrett, but he’s been no slouch.

Over the course of the last four seasons, Lawson has averaged 26 QB hits per 16 games played. He had a very nice 32 quarterback hits in 2020 along with 5.5 sacks and 44 total pressures.

Although people in the football analytics world have tried to convince everyone that you don’t just pay for sack stats with pass rushers, Lawson was not the exception there.

Under Saleh’s guidance, I think Lawson is going to absolutely explode in terms of his sack numbers and playing with Quinnen Williams is going to give the Jets a great foundation to work with.

Lawson also won’t be 26 until the Summer.

This signing was a great one for the pass rusher-needy Jets.