3 Seattle Seahawks Players That Could Follow Dan Quinn to the New York Jets If he is Hired

We haven't hired Dan Quinn. However, if you believe everything you read, we're simply waiting for the Seattle Seahawks to be eliminated from the post-season in order to offer him a contract. There is no smoke without fire and although the team can't say anything about Quinn, we find it hard to believe that all these "sources" confirming the desire to sign him are wrong.

If you look at the statistics for the 2014 NFL season, the New York Jets were not a bad defensive unit. Rated 5th best against the run and 14th best against the pass. However, that's why stats don't tell the whole story. I don't think anyone watching the Jets throughout the season will tell you they were a good defensive football team. Outside of the defensive line, we have problems, big problems.

We gave up over 25 points a game and 46 touchdowns, both good for among the bottom 10 in the league. Points win games, and on the defensive side of the ball, points lose you games.

At the same time, you can't help but be impressed with the defense they have over in Seattle and the defensive gameplan devised by Quinn to confuse offensive coordinators and quarterbacks. Seattle allowed just over 15 points a game (2nd best in the league) and 27 touchdowns (2nd best in the league). They have a number of talented players, who were mainly acquired through the draft.

If Quinn does make the move to New York, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see a few of his defensive players follow him. Much like Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard did when Rex Ryan came over from the Baltimore Ravens. Are there any free agents that we'd like to see become Jets? Here are a couple of players that could follow Quinn if and when he is hired.

Byron Maxwell - CB - 4th Season - 2014: 39 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 12 pass defenses

A 6th round selection of the Seahawks, Byron Maxwell has quickly turned into one of the finer cornerbacks in the league. At 6'1 and 210 lbs he fits the Seattle prototype of big physical corners. He is targeted often, playing over from Richard Sherman. However, he has only given up a single touchdown this year, according to PFF. He's a starter in Seattle, so the motivation to leave may not be there, but he could come over to New York and be our #1 immediately, removing himself from Richard Sherman's shadow. He's already a very good player, but he still has potential and room to grow. 2015 will be his 5th year in the league.

Jeron Johnson - S - 4th Season - 2014: 19 tackles, 1 pass defense

Jeron Johnson was an undrafted free agent in 2011 and has played sparingly over the years for two main reasons. One, he is behind the best safety tandem in the league in Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, and two, he has battled a number of injuries throughout his career. Despite that, a lot of Seahawks speak favourably about him, and the team decided to bring him back last year after placing a 2nd round tender on him. He can be very handy on special teams and offer good depth, and when he's played, he's played well.

O'Brien Schofield - DE - 5th Season - 2014: 20 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, 10 QB Hurries

I really liked Schofield coming out of Wisconsin and he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 4th round. He had first round talent but after tearing his ACL at the East-West shrine game, he dropped in the draft. He's moved around from OLB in Arizona to DE in Seattle and has been a solid contributor throughout his time with Seattle. 2014 has been his best year with Seattle and I imagine they will try to re-sign him this off-season. He had agreed to a 2 year deal with the New York Giants last year, but the deal was called off after some problems with the medical. It remains to be seen if that problem will occur again if he attempts to sign with another team.