Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida football: Jets ‘steal’ Jabari Zuniga

By Ty Butler

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Defensive Lineman Jabari Zuniga #92 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Defensive Lineman Jabari Zuniga #92 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

During the NFL Draft, there are several players described as bargains. One Florida football player fits that bill exactly.

The second and third-rounds of the NFL Draft served Florida football well with three picks.

Jabari Zuniga was the third Gator chosen and was ultimately signed by the New York Jets as the 79th overall pick.

Zuniga, who missed most of the 2019 season, truly ran his draft campaign on his break out 2018 season where he accounted for 6.5 sacks.

It seems that a lot of teams passed on the 6’3 defensive end due to his injury problems last year, but the Jets took a chance on the young man.

A chance that many would call a steal.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga of Florida runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga of Florida runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Where does Zuniga fit in the Jets football team?

New York needed to go out and find an edge rusher in the 2020 draft.

And after selecting Zuniga, they got just that.

The Jets initially went out and got an offensive lineman and receiver to help their third-year quarterback, Sam Darnold.

A round later, the Jet’s GM Joe Douglas looked at the board and scooped up a talented edge rusher to complete his trifecta of new weapons.

Defensive End. Florida. 79. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jabari Zuniga. player. 30

Zuniga happens to be an explosive, versatile defensive end that can disrupt offenses with his ability to shoot through the line and get into the backfield.

Gator fans know this after watching Zuniga haunt SEC quarterbacks throughout his Florida football tenure.

And now that the defensive end is healthy, we can expect to see him make an impact throughout the years for New York who doesn’t have a whole lot of depth at the edge position.

It also helps that Zuniga is familiar with the 3-4 defensive scheme that the Jets have adapted through the past few seasons. There shouldn’t be any issues there.

What’s next for Zuniga?

The Jets are a young team that is currently settling in to the league. And while they haven’t had much success in recent years, we can expect to see improvements in 2020.

This is good news for Zuniga who is now taking his first true step into the league.

He has all of the tools to be successful at the next level, and when looking at his frame, it’s easy to see that he also fits the part too.

It’s time for Zuniga to carve his way through the roster. And if he can, we will see a lot of him during the 2020 season.

First, he must adapt to the size and strength of NFL tackles. If he can, Zuniga will find much success getting after opposing quarterbacks at the next level.

Next. Jaguars get the goods with CJ Henderson. dark

Zuniga was the second Florida football star to be selected to the Jets. He will be playing alongside Lamical Perrine in New York for the 2020 season.

Home/Florida Gators Football