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Jets’ Carl Lawson speaks on what it takes to reach the ‘elite status’ of his position

Joe Douglas wished to improve the front seven this offseason (among other areas of the roster).

This desire led to the Jets inking defensive end Carl Lawson to a significant deal; by the way of a three-year, $45 million contract signed in March, the now-former Bengal is headed to Florham Park.

Lawson only recorded 20 sacks in four years with Cincinnati but understands there’s more to the position than what that category of the stat sheet may reveal.

“You can’t judge somebody based off of sacks as far as how productive they are, but if you want to get to that elite status, where you’re considered an elite defender, then you need to convert those pressures into sacks,” Lawson said while appearing on the “Jim Rome Show” this week.