Jets will turn to Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald if Haason Reddick won't sign

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Jets believed they filled their hole on the edge when they acquired Haason Reddick. His holdout and recent trade request have led to questions about where the production and pass rush will come from if Reddick’s contract dispute isn’t settled by Week 1.

Not re-signing Bryce Huff or Quinton Jefferson and trading John Franklin-Myers to clear money after getting Reddick were big losses. They totaled 19.5 sacks last season. Huff had a team-leading 10 and Jefferson six from a tackle spot. Franklin-Myers lined up inside and out and played the third-most snaps in the Jets’ defensive line rotation.

Reddick, a definite upgrade from Huff, could make up for more than half of those sacks if and when he reports. He had 50.5 in the past four seasons.

General manager Joe Douglas said he won’t trade Reddick, by the way.

He is projected to start with tackles Quinnen Williams and Javon Kinlaw and Jermaine Johnson on the other edge.

In Reddick’s absence, third-year lineman Micheal Clemons and second-year end Will McDonald are getting starting reps.

Former Falcons first-round pick Takk McKinley could be in the regular-season rotation, too.

McDonald (one sack) and Clemons (quarterback hit) were the starting ends as the Jets beat the Carolina Panthers, 15-12, in Saturday night’s preseason game at Bank of America Stadium.

All of the Jets’ scoring came on field goals. Austin Seibert kicked four (38, 52, 24 and 45 yards) and Greg Zuerlein made a 36-yarder. Starting quarterback Andrew Peasley was 7-for-11 for 33 yards and Adrian Martinez completed 7 of 17 passes for 67 yards and an interception.

The Jets have boasted one of the NFL’s best defensive lines the past two seasons. As constituted, without Reddick, they’ve taken a step backward.

No one inside 1 Jets Drive is sounding alarms, though.

Huff, Franklin-Myers and Jefferson put up career numbers playing for Robert Saleh, coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton. They’ve been proficient at getting the most out of players, and they’re confident they will again.

“It’s our job to develop the next wave and to keep things moving,” Saleh said.

Jets coaches have effusively praised Clemons and McDonald, neither of whom has been impactful in previous seasons.

The massive Clemons, who is 6-5 and 263 pounds, is more of a run-stopper. He has only three career sacks in 32 games.

Clemons’ power and strength are undeniable. Linebacker C.J. Mosley noted Clemons “throwing tight ends into the running back in the run game.”

That happened near the goal line in last week’s preseason game against Washington. Two plays later, Clemons was out of position on quarterback Jayden Daniels 3-yard touchdown run.

Ulbrich said Clemons didn’t move as well last year after the Jets had him add some weight. He’s back at his more comfortable weight and moving great, according to Ulbrich.

“He looks amazing,” he said. “His movement is so much better than it has ever been. His pass rush is really starting to develop. I am so excited about what he can be, because he is a guy that on paper you might say is a first- and second-down player. He is really making a case for a third-down role now.”

On paper, McDonald could be considered a situational/third-down end. Last year’s first-round pick has pass-rushing skills. McDonald uses athleticism, a quick get-off and an impressive spin move to get to the quarterback.

McDonald used a quick spin move to record his sack. He got up and stomped both feet on the ground a few times. “Will can rush the passer. We’re not worried about it,” Saleh said. “For him to get it on his inside move is pretty cool.”

The Jets expect McDonald, who had three sacks in 184 snaps as a rookie, to make a big jump. They pushed him to get stronger and add power to his game. Although McDonald still is lean (235 pounds), Whitecotton said he is “so much stronger” and has shown “incredible growth” overall.

“He’s definitely stronger, better edge-setter. All of his game is improved in that way,” Whitecotton said. “Mentally, I see a more mature player . . . just like understanding of the game, understanding situations. He’s come a long way. He’s still got a long way to go.”

The Jets hope McDonald emerges quickly.

“When the season comes, we’re going to be depending on him,” Mosley said. “We’re just going to keep pushing him. He’s motivated to make plays and get out there and make a name for himself.”

The Jets think McKinley can resurrect his career playing on this line. Eric Watts and Jalyn Holmes could stick for depth.

Tackle Solomon Thomas is a mainstay in the defensive line rotation. The Jets also signed run-stuffer Leki Fotu. Neither is an accomplished pass rusher.

The Jets still have strong cover cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II. They could force quarterbacks to hold on to the football longer and give the line a chance to get home.

Otherwise, the Jets may have to find other ways to generate a pass rush until McDonald breaks through the way they expect — or Reddick shows up.

n  Two-minute drill

None of the Jets’ projected Week 1 starters on both sides of the ball played . . . Rookie Olu Fashanu started at right tackle. The Jets are grooming him to be their swing tackle to fill in if Tyron Smith or Morgan Moses gets hurt . . . Aaron Rodgers was inactive and Tyrod Taylor was the emergency quarterback.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.