FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets are starting over at outside linebacker, and a big part of that rebuilding process involved drafting Georgia's Jordan Jenkins in the third round this year.

During spring practices, Jenkins wowed at least one of his new teammates.

"Jordan Jenkins is a monster from what we've seen of him," Sheldon Richardson told NJ Advance Media on Thursday, as the Jets concluded minicamp. "He's a monster. I'm not sleeping on him at all. Can't wait to see him in shoulder pads.

"What he came out here and brought every day, there's a difference, [because] some guys will go a week strong, two weeks strong, and then you'll see a decline in their effort and get-off the ball. The guy has been hell on wheels since Day 1."

The Jets' practice Thursday -- their third and final of the mandatory minicamp -- was their last spring session. They're off from practice until training camp begins in late July. That's when they'll put shoulder pads on. Richardson, a star defensive end entering Year 4, is looking forward to seeing more of Jenkins then.

How in particular has Jenkins impressed Richardson?

"Pass rush," Richardson said. "He seems to be doing all right in coverage. For the most part, as far as pass rush goes and run fits, he's been solid."

The Jets need new starters at both outside linebacker spots. One almost certainly will be Lorenzo Mauldin, a second-year pro. It looks like Trevor Reilly and Jenkins are the early leaders for the other spot. Last season, as the Jets again fielded a strong defense, it seemed a consistent edge rush was a big missing piece.

"I don't feel like that," Richardson said. "Everybody wants Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware type of edge rushers. This is also a system defense, so we're two-gapping those guys on the edge. You've got to really take care of the run, because if you don't, you'll get gashed.

"Our defense's weakness is we give up big plays, because we blitz a lot. So that's a weakness you can have. If one guy misses a tackle, it's a big play. Just as big as pass rush is to y'all, run fits and stopping the run is just as big to us."

At this point, Richardson said, it's too early to determine how well Jenkins will grasp his run fits. But Jenkins is playing with urgency, at least.

"He's moving so fast, you don't know what he's grasping," Richardson said. "But as far as his edge rush and how he's been, he hasn't made too many mistakes. He's just got to get a little thicker [with his playing style aggression], as far as playing on tight ends and tackles when the double team is on him."

Playing fast comes natural to Jenkins.

"From where I went to high school, we were taught if there's one thing you always do, always run full speed, and just always give effort," Jenkins said. "You may not know what to do, but if you're doing something full speed, you'll still be able to affect the play. Coaches just like seeing that in guys.

"That's something I've always wanted to do with myself. I was going to be a physical guy. And if I don't know what I'm doing, I'm darn sure going to try to put somebody on their back or just power through somebody."

Jenkins learned early in spring practices that he needs to be especially assertive in the NFL.

"I learned that you better rush with some power, and you better rush with your hands ready, because if you don't, you're going to get thrown out of your pass rush lane," he said. "I sat there and tried doing a little college stutter and got punched in the chest. And I said, 'OK, scrap that, and let me just get from point A to point B.' It was a good learning experience, and I'm glad it happened to me early."

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.