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Can Mych Thomas Earn Roster Spot With Jets?

By Matthew Conner

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Mychealon Thomas #99 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders deflects a throw but drops the ball while playing against the Houston Cougars in the fourth quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Texas Tech Red Raiders won 27 to 24. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Mychealon Thomas #99 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders deflects a throw but drops the ball while playing against the Houston Cougars in the fourth quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Texas Tech Red Raiders won 27 to 24. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech defensive tackle Mychealon Thomas inked a free agent deal with the New York Jets after not being selected in the NFL Draft.  Here’s a look at his changes of making the team.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2017 Texas Tech football season was the improvement of defensive tackle Mychealon Thomas.  The former JUCO transfer made huge progress during his senior season helping solidify a much improved Red Raider run defense.

Thomas was one of only three players to start all 13 games for the Texas Tech defense last year (along with Dakota Allen and Broderick Washington).  On the season, he posted 41 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries and an interception after a sub-par 2016 in which he registered a mere eight tackles.

Now, He will head to New York hoping to earn an opportunity in the NFL.  And there is reason to believe Thomas will be able to make the Jets’ roster.

The Jets are a team trying to rebuild what was an underperforming defensive line last season.  They allowed 4.05 yards per carry and their 1,887 yards surrendered on the ground were the team’s most since 2012.

This offseason, New York parted ways with their most costly 2017 defensive lineman, end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was set to cost $20 million against the 2018 salary cap.  However, the Jets did not spend that money on interior defensive linemen in free agency after rescinding  a massive offer to free agent Ndamukong Suh.

According to a depth chart from Ourlads.com, there are only three nose tackles on the current NY roster.  (The Jets employ a 3-4 defense with only three down linemen.)  Those players are eight-year veteran Steve McLendon, 2015 7th round draft pick Deon Simon and 2018 6th round pick Folorunso Fatukasi from UCONN.

The only proven starter on the team is McLendon who is 32-years-old.  There will be a need for a younger player to help give the aging veteran some series off and Thomas could fill that role.

Simon does not seem to be a huge part of the Jets plans as he was waved by the team prior to last season only to be picked up again in late December prior to the season finale.  He did not appear in any games in 2017 and has only 23 tackles in his career.

What Mych Thomas has going for him is his size.  At 325 pounds, he is the second-biggest member of the New York defense and size in the middle is essential for a 3-4 defense that often asks nose tackles to command double-teams to keep the center and a guard off of the middle linebackers.

Next: History of Texas Tech 1st Round Picks

asMych Thomas is one of those players that may benefit from not being drafted.  As a free agent, he was able to pick his NFL destination and it looks as though he did so wisely.  The Jets need youth and size in the middle and Thomas could be just the player to provide that for them.

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