The New York Jets are undergoing a new-look on defense with the hiring of head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. That means a new scheme, as well as new usages for players who were retained from 2024. Enter Leonard Taylor III — the 2nd year UDFA defensive tackle from the Miami Hurricanes. Last season, Taylor III played 266 snaps for the Jets’ defense, earning a PFF Run Defense Grade of 69.9, which ranked 34th out of 219 eligible DTs. He also posted a 56.9 Pass Rush Grade, ranking 86th at the position. After watching all 266 snaps of All-22 film, there is a case to be made that Leonard Taylor III could be the 3rd-most used tackle on the interior of the defense, behind Quinnen Williams and free-agent signing Derrick Nnadi from Kansas City. This may explain why the Jets did not select a defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft last April, as Wilks and Glenn have a plan to use Taylor III in more scenarios moving forward. Does LT3 have what it takes to be an impact player in New York’s defense? Can he solidify himself as a every down player in the NFL? Let’s dive into the film and see what we learn.
