Taking a look at a Jets pass rusher
Over the next few months, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of the late season signings who are under contract for 2026, and futures signings after the end of the season. We continue today with edge defender Ochaun Mathis, who was added to the practice squad late last year and signed a futures deal after the season.
The 27-year old Mathis is listed at 6’5″ and 260 pounds and was a sixth round pick out of Nebraska in 2023 having also played at TCU. He has played 14 NFL games, recording five tackles, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble.
Background
Mathis was a three-star high school recruit and headed to TCU where he played four games in 2018 and then redshirted.
Over the next three seasons, he started 34 games and had over 40 tackles in each season with a total of 30 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. His best season, for which he earned second team all-Big 12 recognition, was 2020, in which he had 9.5 sacks in 10 games. However, he also earned second team recognition in 2021.
After the 2021 season, Mathis entered the transfer portal and opted to move to Nebraska. However, he was mostly in a rotational role with the Cornhuskers, starting just two games. He was productive, though, with a career-high 48 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Mathis attended the 2023 scouting combine, after which he was rated as a potential late-round pick and ended up getting selected in the sixth round by the Rams.
After a training camp injury meant he missed preseason and the start of the regular season, Mathis struggled to crack the rotation. He ultimately made eight appearances as a rookie and had just two tackles and a hit.
In 2024, he was among the Rams’ final cuts and ended up on New England’s practice squad from where he made it onto their active roster and had two tackles and a forced fumble in five appearances. However, he was released in November.
The Eagles then signed Mathis to their practice squad and he made one appearance, with one tackle, down the stretch.
He did not play in the NFL this season, despite spending time with the Eagles, Titans and Browns. The Jets signed him to their practice squad in late December but did not elevate him for any games. They did sign him to a futures deal after the season, though.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Mathis brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Mathis has an average sized frame but terrific length and some of his combine numbers were good. He ran a 4.73 in the 40-yard dash and posted 21 bench press reps, along with above average explosiveness and agility numbers. He improved his broad jump by another five inches at his pro day.
There are times on film when it is apparent he could benefit from adding some strength.
Usage
Mathis has primarily played on the edge, both in four-man fronts (at TCU) and as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme (at Nebraska), so he has plenty of experience of playing both with his hands in the dirt and standing up.
He also played off the ball at times, but did not play inside, although he sometimes lined up across from an opposing tackle.
Motor
Mathis brings high energy and effort in pursuit and in the trenches, with many of his sacks coming as a result of relentlessness meaning he eventually gets home for a coverage sack rather than beating someone clean.
Pass rushing
Mathis posted an impressive 9.5 sacks in 10 games in 2020 but otherwise had just 10 in 40 other games in his career. In addition, his pressure rates were fairly consistent but nothing special. He hasn’t had much success in NFL regular season or preseason action either, other than a few flashes.
As a pass rusher, he showcases a decent get-off and can bend the edge to a degree.
He is someone who can be effective on interior rushes if standing up at the line or stunting inside.
However, NFL linemen have typically been able to stay in front of him or redirect him upfield.
Run defense
Mathis is a decent run defender, who can pursue downhill and plays with good discipline on the edge.
He can be controlled and sealed off by opposing tackles on the edge but has the physicality to take on lead blockers.
Tackling
Mathis is relentless in pursuit, with good closing speed and an ability to extend beyond his frame to wrap up and drag down ball carriers.
He averaged just over five missed tackles per season in college with eight being the most he ever had in a season.
He can make some hard hits but had one forced fumble in his college career although he has had another in the NFL.
Footwork/Technique
Mathis doesn’t necessary showcase a mastery of a variety of pass rushing moves, but his 35.5-inch arms give him a good foundation to work with and he’s shown signs of being able to exploit a length advantage at times.
He could probably benefit from sharpening up his footwork to disguise his rush and honing his technique when ripping through as he comes around the edge, but he shows some ability to vary up his rush speed.
Coverage
Mathis hasn’t dropped into coverage that often but he does do it from time to time and is probably more experienced at doing so than most edge defenders at this level, unless they converted from another position.
Most of his six career pass breakups come from getting his hands up to deflect passes; something which he is adept at. However, on this play, despite not getting his head turned, he did a great job of staying with the back to save a potential big play.
He also intercepted a pass on a two-point conversion attempt, early on in a game TCU ultimately won 34-32.
Special teams
Most of Mathis’ experience on special teams has been rushing kicks, with his athletic ability on display on this field goal block.
He also made this special teams tackle and forced a fumble in kickoff coverage during 2024 regular season action.
Instincts/Intelligence
Mathis’ discipline and play recognition seem sound but he perhaps lacks natural pass rushing instincts in terms of transitioning to a counter move when his initial rush is repelled.
He shows versatility and makes a great play here as he blows up the blocker to bottle up a receiver screen.
He has jumped offside a few times during his college career.
Attitude
Mathis is regarded as a player who works hard to improve and studies and prepares hard. While he wasn’t a team captain, he is a hard worker who sets a good example. Mathis’ high school team never had a winning season, and he has played with a chip on his shoulder since then, feeling he has gone under the radar.
On-field discipline is not a major concern as he has no penalties at the NFL level and just nine in his college career, five of which were in 2021.
Injuries
Mathis was carted off with a knee injury during training camp in his rookie season and began the season on injured reserve, although he returned to action in October. He otherwise hasn’t had to deal with major injury issues.
Scheme Fit
Until we know who the defensive coordinator is, we can’t say for sure if Mathis will be a good fit for the system, but the Jets obviously targeted him and retained him because he fits some of the things Aaron Glenn likes to do and, as noted, he played on teams with both three and four-man fronts so should be adaptable.
It’s not impossible he could have the skill-set to be considered for a position switch into an off-ball role, but that would be a long-term project.
He was a teammate of current Jets cornerback Samuel Womack in Tennessee and offensive lineman Liam Fornadel in New England.
Conclusions
Mathis has shown a few brief glimpses of his talent since being drafted but is yet to prove he can crack an NFL rotation or that he has the ability to be productive at this level if given an opportunity.
Nevertheless, the Jets presumably liked his potential as a draft prospect and, having brought him in for a look, opted to retain him on a futures deal – something which was far from automatic with the players on the practice squad at the end of the season.
With his combination of length and athleticism, Mathis has looked like a player who would really benefit from adding some strength and refining his technique. He’s been in the league long enough now that he needs to make an impact in camp or preseason for the organization to be compelled to keep him in their plans.
Category: General Sports
