Gang Green Nation
Taking a look at a Jets linebacker prospect
The New York Jets recently signed former Cincinnati linebacker Jared Bartlett as an undrafted free agent. Today we break Bartlett down in detail.
The 24-year old Bartlett is listed at 6’2” and 237 pounds and was an honorable mention all-Big 12 selection last year after having transferred from West Virginia. He had 204 tackles and 21.5 sacks in his six-year college career.
Background
Bartlett was a three-star high school recruit who redshirted his first season at West Virginia after having played 152 snaps and recorded nine tackles and six pressures in four games.
In 2020, he moved into a rotational role, although he did start two of 10 games as he registered 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks. 2021 saw him in a similar role and he looked to have broken out when he racked up three sacks against Virginia Tech in an early season game. However, he ended the season with just 3.5 sacks. In all, he started three of 13 games and had 31 tackles.
2022 once again saw Bartlett mostly in a rotational role as he made two starts and ended up with 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, his playing time increased in 2023 and he started every game at the bandit position to end up with 49 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
At the end of the 2024 season, Bartlett entered the transfer portal and ended up with Cincinnati, who moved him to an off-ball role and put him in the starting line-up. He was an all-Big 12 honorable mention after racking up 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three pass breakups, all of which were career marks.
After Bartlett went undrafted, the Jets signed him to an undrafted free agent deal with $72,500 of guaranteed money.
Let’s move on to some more in-depth analysis of what Bartlett brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Having played closer to the line of scrimmage earlier on in his career, Bartlett has good strength and length for an off-ball role.
Bartlett put together a solid set of workout numbers at his pro day as he ran a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash and posted 19 bench press reps. His explosiveness and agility numbers were about average.
Usage
Bartlett played the bandit role at West Virginia, which is a unique position that sees him positioned at the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher, but also dropping off into coverage or picking up a man in the slot from time to time. In the NFL, this would be closest to a 3-4 outside linebacker role in a system like Pittsburgh’s but wouldn’t fit cleanly into the defensive schemes for most teams, including the Jets.
He responded well to the move with the Bearcats, which saw him playing off the ball as an inside linebacker. It makes sense that this will be his NFL position too.
Run defense
Bartlett had a productive...
