For the Jets defense to work, the pressure is all on the coaching staff.

They got to develop the number two overall pick and a slate of complementary pass rushers.

We're building the Jets defense today on Locked-on Jets.

You are Locked-on Jets, your daily New York Jets podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcasts network, your team every day.

I'm John B from gangreneation.com on today's show. We're going to talk about how the Jets defense will work in 2026. We'll discuss the players in the middle of the field who need to step up and be sound tacklers. We'll discuss the biggest camp battle that'll be at corner and that will help determine how effective this defense will be. But we'll start by talking about the guys up front, perhaps the most critical spot on the defense.

I believe that football ultimately is a game of physicality.

I don't think that that's a very controversial statement.

But in the modern NFL, we focus on quarterbacks.

We focus on playmakers. And rightly so. Those are very important players. Ultimately, though, you've got to control the trenches to win. And for the Jets,

you have a defensive line that's got potential, but also needs to be coached up. And I think the most important player for the Jets defense in

26, unsurprisingly, will be the number two overall pick David Bailey. The Jets got him to make

an immediate impact. Now, I firmly believe that in the NFL draft, you're picking a guy,

particularly second overall, for the long-term production you're going to get.

The Jets hope David Bailey will be a 10-year player for this team.

They hope that he will be an impact pass rusher for many years to come.

But when you pick a guy number two overall, it's reasonable to expect an immediate impact.

Now, maybe Bailey won't yet be in his prime. Of course, you hope

the best days are ahead of Bailey. Maybe those will come year two, year, three, year four. But

when you pick a guy as high as the Jets did, you are expecting him to be an impact player the second

he steps on the field. David Bailey will be a starter. And in the modern NFL, and I think this

is true even before the modern NFL, but it's definitely true in the modern NFL. Having a top-notch

pass rusher is the most important component to have on the defensive side of the ball. And the Jets really

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