Over the next few months, we’re taking an in-depth look at each of the Jets’ rookies.
Blair has only started two games in his career but has been a productive rotational defender with the 49ers since being drafted.
He eventually opted to attend Appalachian State, where he started 51 games over the next five years.
Blair posted poor numbers at his combine workout, which saw him get injured part of the way through, but he got in better shape in time for his pro day and raised his stock by improving most of his numbers.
As noted, Blair’s combine workout numbers were poor as he weighed in at 284 pounds and injured his quad while running his 40-yard dash.
At his pro day less than five weeks later, Blair had dropped weight down to 270 and he dramatically improved his speed and explosiveness numbers with an excellent 4.85 in the 40-yard dash, 33.5-inch vertical and 119-inch broad jump.
In college, Blair played mostly as a 3-4 defensive end, although he did sometimes line up outside the tackle or inside.
It was rare for Blair to be standing up at the snap but he has played both on the right and on the left.
He played a full time role in college but never played 40 snaps in a game until 2018 at the NFL level.
Blair has developed well against the run and was having his most consistent season as a run defender when he got injured in 2019.
Blair has had decent production as a tackler and does a good job of closing in the open field and wrapping up in space.
Blair suffered a torn ACL in 2019, but his recovery initially seemed to be going well as he was running again within four months.
As noted, Blair is a favorite of Saleh and has been hand-picked by the Jets because he fits into their system.