New York Jets Offseason: Could the Team Replace Demario Davis With a Safety?

The Jets face an interesting situation at inside linebacker next to David Harris. Both Demario Davis and Erin Henderson are free agents, leaving open the question of whom will be starting at linebacker next season. The smart money would be on Henderson being more likely than Davis to return. Negotiations seem to be ongoing for a Henderson return in fact.

Todd Bowles' recent past provides an interesting alternative. Two years ago, Bowles was Arizona's defensive coordinator. He lost both of his starting inside linebackers as Karlos Dansby defected in free agency to Cleveland, and Daryl Washington was suspended.

Arizona drafted a safety, Deone Bucannon. There was a twist, though. Bucannon ended up playing inside linebacker for the Cardinals. The NFL is becoming more and more pass happy. Quality cover linebackers are tough to find so Bowles utilized a guy he saw as a good run defender for a safety but somebody with the cover skills of a defensive back.

There is no guarantee the Jets will do this, but history like this is something to keep in mind as we go into Draft season.

I am not the only person on this site who thinks so. After patting myself on the back for this original thought, I looked at David Wyatt's Draft profile of Jayron Kearse from Clemson, a player who conceivably could fit that profile.

GGN member superhuman had the following to say.

Coach Bowles has already stated that he wants to get faster next year. If you could get this kid in the 3rd round it would be a steal, although he probably will never last that long. Coach Bowles could use him the same way he used Deone Buchanon in Arizona, he could play LB in place of Demario Davis. At 6’5/220 4.55/40 he is not much smaller than Myles Jack (6’1/245) who is LB from UCLA and is rated as a top 10 pick in the draft.

This is something to keep in the back of your head.