Sheldon Richardson has declared that the New York Jets will be the "top team" in the NFL in the 2015 season.
The Jets finished bottom of the AFC East last season with a 4-12 record as they missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
However, Richardson is optimistic that the arrival of new head Todd Bowles, along with Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall and Antonio Cromartie, will reverse the fortunes of the franchise.
"We strongly feel like we're going to be the top defense in the league and top team in the league, not just defense," Richardson told reporters.
"Offensively and defensively, we made moves that I feel like that progressed this team forward, and I feel like Jet Nation feels the same way. This is going to be a great season. I strongly feel like this is going to be a great season for us."
Richardson was voted to the Pro Bowl in the 2014 season as he recorded 67 tackles and eight sacks for the Jets.