Ex-Jets Scout Calls Jordan Whitehead Signing a 'Home Run' For New York

Jordan Whitehead is a good football player.

The Jets recently signed the free agent safety after he spent the last four seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Whitehead was all over the field for the Bucs, and it was clear to see he was an instrumental part of Tampa Bay’s defense. 

The Jets had the No. 30 ranked pass defense in the league last season and there is no question they needed to try to improve. Whitehead is an instant upgrade at safety for the Jets. While New York had a more pressing need at corner, that perhaps can still be addressed early in the draft next month.

Whitehead, who ironically wears #33 (like Jamal Adams used to for the Jets), reminds me a lot of Adams to a degree. Whitehead enjoys lighting up receivers, and he shows the ability to fire in off the edges to blitz and make run stops for losses. 

Whitehead brings a real presence to the football field. He brings leadership and he is a playmaker. 

The last four years statistically tell that same story. Within that time span, Whitehead has put up 292 total tackles (222 solo), two sacks, two forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 25 passes defended. 

Whitehead is just not one of these safeties who tries to keep his jersey clean or one who ends up around the scene after the damage has been done. 

Whitehead plays the game the way it is meant to be played. 

This is a huge loss for the Bucs’ defense, and a huge gain for the Jets’ defense. New York will be facing a lot of offensive firepower in the AFC East this season. With quarterbacks Josh Allen (BUF), Mac Jones (NE), and maybe now even Tom Brady (MIA), the Jets are going to have their work cut out for them.