Mike Devito: Stay or Go?

Mike Devito is probably Mike Tannenbaum's best undrafted free agent signing. He has slowly worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster to a contributing role to a high quality starting role. There is not much question the affordable 27 year old will be back in 2012, although the team might want to work on an extension with him entering the final year of his current contract. The real question about Devito is where he will play.

The Jets have a few options. They can keep him primarily at defensive end in a base 3-4 as a run stopper. They also might move him inside to replace Sione Pouha as nose tackle should Pouha prove to be too expensive. Devito profiles similarly to a nose tackle Rex Ryan used in Baltimore, Kelly Gregg. Both are somewhat undersized for the nose tackle spot but have proven to be extremely stout at the point of attack and hard workers. The Jets could finally transition to more of a 4-3 defense and have Devito slide inside combining with Muhammad Wilkerson to man the two tackle slots. In reality, Devito got work at all of these spots and will continue to do so in 2012 and beyond. The question is where his primary home will be.

Devito's 2011 was not as consistent as his 2010, but he was also banged up throughout the year. I look to Devito to rebound and be a rock against the run in this defense, perhaps the most unsung hero on the roster.