Defensive Notes

The Jets' defense was somewhat of a fantasy surprise last season, finishing in the top 10 in both sacks (7th) and takeaways (5th) after ranking 25th and 30th in those two categories the year previously. Their improvement wasn't a complete shock, however, given their offseason acquisitions of Kris Jenkins, a perfect nose tackle for the team's 3-4 scheme, and pass-rushing linebacker Calvin Pace.

The defense might be poised to be even better next season. New coach Rex Ryan ran Baltimore's dominant defense, of course, and he's now close to adding a second key member of that defense to the Jets: safety Jim Leonhard -- the latter close to signing according to this story at FOXSports.com. New York signed former Raven Bart Scott last week, and also acquired cornerback Lito Sheppard from Philadelphia; he's expected to start across from Pro Bowler Darelle Revis. The Leonhard signing isn't certain; the Broncos are apparently trying to add him as well, perhaps concerned that their current projected defensive starters in the secondary are all on the wrong side of 30.

Should the Jets land Leonhard, though, and if Ryan proves able to turn 2nd-year man Vernon Gholston into this defense's Terrell Suggs -- and that's a big if, with Gholston a major disappointment a year ago -- perhaps their new coach will have a defense as fearsome as the one he had in Baltimore.

New York doesn't figure to start more than five players it drafted on the defensive side of the ball; half of its starters will have been acquired within the last calendar year. Here are New York's projected defensive starters for next season, along with how they were acquired.