Potential 2012 Jets Breakouts: Muhammad Wilkerson

by GangGreenMag on Feb 13, 2012 9:29 AM EST

I regret to inform you that we are heading into the lull of the NFL offseason. Fear not my green friends, there is always something to talk about. I think it would be interesting to write some blurbs regarding players that have the potential to make a larger impact in 2012. The first player on my list is our 2011, 1st round draft pick, Muhammad Wilkerson. Come join me after the jump for more.

A good place to start out is with our hopes for Wilkerson. Going into the 2011 draft, it was a dead giveaway that we were going to be looking for DE help. In Wilkerson, we saw the 2nd coming of Shaun Ellis. A physical DE that can get penetration, and demand double teams, was our dream. Unfortunately, Muhammad came up a little short. Our pass rush is still a huge problem going into this draft. Wilkerson finished the season with 49 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Those aren't bad numbers, but for a 1st round pick, we need more.

As far as tackle numbers go, I am impressed with Wilkerson's production, but I was expecting more when it came to pass rushing. I know that 3-4 DEs aren't really known as the big pass rushers on their team, but they can still contribute. I can't tell you guys how many times I saw a perfectly shaped pocket around opposing QBs. There was never any push from the middle, and the sides never collapsed. Muhammad had a tendency to caught rushing too upright. The kind of time QBs had this yea, isn't going to fly next year.

With a full year under his belt, Wilkerson can now mature into the role we need him to play. The lack of a proper offseason hurt us a lot last year. With the way this team is built, a slow start to the season really sent us in the wrong direction. In 2012, the Jets should be back into the swing of things. Wilkerson will be one of many that will benefit from the trip to Cortland. With a lot of hard work, and good coaching, he can easily become a dominant force on our D-line.

2012 predictions: 47 Tackles, 5.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 15 QB Pressures, 10 QB Hits

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Comments

I agree about the off season really hurting the Jets

IMO a lot happens at Cortland. I have been clamoring about the DL coaching. I really think Carrier was in over his head. This was a great hire he built the Williams wall worked with some big time PR in Ray Edwards, Jarred Allen and Aaron Kapman just to name a few yes he might come from a 4-3 based D however, I think most topflite NFL position coaches know all D fronts. can’t wait to see what he can do with our DL.

by JETSFAN IN SC on Feb 13, 2012 10:01 AM EST reply actions

I’m going to share my own thoughts on Wilkerson soon, but I agree. I think he’s going to be scary good. He held up pretty well at a position where you don’t see many rookies sniff the field. You can see the flashes. It’s only a matter of the coaching staff refining his technique.

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by John B on Feb 13, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions

I thought he had a nice rookie season for a guy coming from a smaller school who had no training camp. He’s also only 22, so plenty of time to grow.

Oh yes that's right, I'm a Jets fan.

by Bob_The_Friendly_Baker on Feb 13, 2012 10:21 AM EST reply actions

Also

I think he’ll end up being a better player than Ellis ever was

Oh yes that's right, I'm a Jets fan.

by Bob_The_Friendly_Baker on Feb 13, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

Couldn’t agrre more, tons of upside and one of the players who was probably hurt most by the loss of a full offseason. I really feel good about this kid and his chances of becoming a real force for years to come.

by Jetkid13 on Feb 13, 2012 10:27 AM EST reply actions

I’d say Kenrick Ellis and Vlad Ducasse were probably hurt the most.

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by bobdolethesnapplelady on Feb 13, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Ellis is next on my list.

Get busy winning or get busy losing.

by GangGreenMag on Feb 13, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, that’s who I really want to see break out. Ellis needs to step up and I think a full off season will make him and hopefully not break him.

by fozzi58 on Feb 13, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

Breakouts: Cumberland, Kerly, DuCasse, Tracy Wilson, Mcknight

by JetOrange on Feb 13, 2012 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Love Mo Wilk

this guy has all the tools to be dominant against the Run and Pass, he had a pretty good Rookie season and I expect him to have an even better follow up

"The message to the rest of the league is, hey, the Jets are coming, and we're going to give you everything we got. And I think that's going to be more than you can handle"

by AFCxxBEAST on Feb 13, 2012 1:12 PM EST reply actions

I think Mo' Wilk is gonna be a serious force for us.

Just because this was his rookie season and he played pretty well for us, considering that we had no TC. He also plays with a lot of intensity, and you can tell that he enjoys this game. I think by his year 3, he’ll be the best player on our D-Line.

by MassiveSmith on Feb 13, 2012 1:19 PM EST reply actions

Wilk is awesome

the fact that we can even compare him, a lockout rookie from a smaller school that was thrown to the wolves, to Shaun Ellis really shows you what kind of potential this kid has. Imagine him with a full off-season, NFL weight training program, and good D-line coaching…can you say BEASTMODE!?

by darshv3 on Feb 13, 2012 2:54 PM EST reply actions

this guy

has the potential of being one of the best def. Jets ever—full off season work and trainig camp will help immensely—as it will for the rest of team-not making excuses but the lack of a full train camp seemd to really muck with team chemistry—i know other teams had the same shortened camp but not every team was trying to work in new OT and 2 new WR’s—i am not officially saying a full camp would have helped W. Hunter though-Mo Wilk seems to have a real warrior attitude too which i like

by knucklehead62 on Feb 24, 2012 9:38 PM EST reply actions