The New York Jets totally revamped the defensive end position this offseason.
Frankly, they needed to, after finishing 31st in sacks last season (26.0), and 29th in rushing (139.5 yards/game).
General manager Darren Mougey selected David Bailey at No. 2 overall at the 2026 NFL Draft, and also signed veterans Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare in free agency.
Will McDonald IV is the Jets' best pass rusher, but he's occasionally been a liability versus the run. No. 2 overall pick Bailey was an excellent pass rusher at Texas Tech, but the jury remains out on his abilities as a run defender. Enagbare will be the Jets' most impactful run-stopping defensive end.
On paper, the Jets have built a well-balanced defensive line on the edges. McDonald and Bailey
are super athletic as pass rushers. Enagbare is a hard-nosed defender who thrives by doing selfless work on early downs. Ossai is productive as both a run stopper and pass rusher.
The Jets signed Enagbare to a one-year contract worth $10 million. The former South Carolina standout had just 2.5 sacks last year, having accumulated 11.5 sacks in four seasons (a career-high 4.5 in 2024). The Jets brought Enagbare in for his run-stopping abilities.
Pro Football Focus assigned Enagbare a run-stopping grade of 61.0 last season. In 2024, the former fifth-round selection posted a career-high run defense grade of 64.5. Enagbare (and T'Vondre Sweat!) will be a big reason why the Jets are significantly better at stopping the run in 2026.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Where Kingsley Enagbare could thrive for the Jets defense in 2026
