Mike Westhoff doesn’t expect his Jets special teams to get much help from the NFL Draft, but the assistant coach isn’t worried about it.
Westhoff told NJ.com Tuesday he expects the Jets to take a pass rusher or big defensive lineman with the 30th pick next month.
A player like that wouldn’t be able to kick, punt or take part in coverage, or be able to replace free agent return star Brad Smith.
Kicker Nick Folk, punter Steve Weatherford and special teams captain Eric Smith also could leave the Jets if and when a new NFL collective bargaining agreement is reached, the report says.
“Is it unnerving? Not any more so than it normally is, no,” Westhoff said, according to the website. “You’d like to keep as many as possible, whatever that is. To be honest, I don’t drive myself crazy over it. … Do I have to fill certain areas sometimes? Sure. I’m convinced I can do it. As much as I love Brad Smith and things like that, I just have confidence the system works.”
Westhoff spoke to teenagers at Daytop School in Mendham. He, like all of the Jets coaches, has taken a 25 percent pay cut until the league’s labor situation is resolved.
“I believe it’s all going to work out just fine, I firmly believe that,” he said. “But yet at the same time, we have to be prepared for whatever sacrifice equally across the board, and I think that’s what we’re doing. … I have total faith in the leaders of our business, and I believe this will all work itself out.”