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The Jets need this player to take a big step in 2023.
Talking about linebacker Jamien Sherwood.
Now entering his third season as a linebacker, after playing safety at Auburn, he looked very comfortable with his reads in the spring practices. He was triggering very fast reading what the offense was doing. He now comes across as a bonafide NFL linebacker.
Sherwood is an instinctive, smart, hard-working, humble player. The Jensen Beach, Florida native has great character and is does all the little things to get better.
And the Jets need him to have a big role this year.
While it’s still possible they could re-sign free agent linebacker Kwon Alexander, you get the sense the Jets are ready to pass the baton to Sherwood, and let him handle the third linebacker spot next to C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.
It’s well-documented they need more from their linebackers in coverage, especially Williams.
In 15 games last year, Williams had one pass defensed last year and no picks. One pass defensed for a linebacker with sub 4.6 speed who is in coverage a lot isn’t ideal. This guy has great wheels. He should get his hands on more footballs. He’d be the first to admit it.
Mosley is okay in coverage, but perhaps doesn’t have the speed he had when he entered the league a decade ago. He’s still a decent player, but probably not a $17 million a year linebacker at this point of his career.
So they need Sherwood to be a difference-maker in coverage, and he seems ready to do it.
He was kind of rushed into action perhaps early than expected as a rookie due to injuries, and struggled a little, and ended up blowing out his achilles at New England ending his season.
Last year, he played in all 17 games, mainly on special teams.
Entering year three of the move to linebacker, he’s now very comfortable at his new position.
“I’m at a way better point than I was [in 2021],” Sherwood said after last seasn. “I can read stuff faster. I can play faster. I can problem-solve. The transition for me, I’m at a very good spot.”
With a lot of hard work this off-season, he thinks he can be a factor on defense this year.
“I’ve got a long way to go, but I think I can get there by year three,” Sherwood said.
While nobody ever wants to tear an achilles. It’s a brutal injury. However, that time on the sideline, actually helped Sherwood’s maturation process at linebacker.
“Getting hurt and sidelined [in 2021], that really benefitting me a lot?” Sherwood said. “I learned so much from watching and learning. I’ve got a better understanding.”
Aside from being a former safety, so he covered a lot in college, Sherwood’s wingspan should also help him tall tight ends. The 6-2 linebacker has 34’’ arms, which could help him effectively battle tight ends on 50-50 balls.
In the spring, Sherwood was getting a lot of prime-time reps, and seems ready to make a big impact on the Jets defense in 2023.
June 30, 2023
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