The New York Jets have had a busy off-season but they still need to ace the upcoming Draft to be considered a playoff contender.
When the New York Jets ended the 2018 season with a 4-12 record, everyone knew there had to be some changes. Since their season ended the Jets have indeed made changes, but are they enough?
One of the first and biggest changes was the firing of head coach Todd Bowles after three seasons with the team. Bowles was replaced by Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase and that move was mostly praised.
In free agency, the Jets took a very aggressive approach. They made headlines by signing infamous running back Le’Veon Bell to a multi-year mega-dollar deal. Besides re-signing a few guys on defense, they also added a couple of notable wide receivers and a handful of additional talent on defense. With all this activity, have the Jets actually addressed their biggest needs? Let’s take a look at three of the most pressing needs.
Offensive Line
The moves the Jets have this off-season make sense.
They’re providing their franchise quarterback with some offensive weapons to utilize while stacking the depth chart on the defensive side of the ball.
However, arguably their biggest need is protecting Darnold offensive line.
Darnold was sacked about 30 times during the 2018 season, which is not all that terrible given he ranks 19th on total sacks in the year.
It’s not Deshaun Watson level, but it’s still too much. The Jets offensive line is thin, as in paper thin.
For example, there is no backup behind center Jonotthan Harrison, who started half of last season’s games.
Another problem is the depth on the right side of the line.
The only man they have as a backup is Brent Qvale who shifts between right tackle and right guard.
Thankfully during free agency, the team signed ex-Viking Tom Compton, who’ll likely sit at left guard.
Given Compton is the only move so far this off-season on the offensive line front, there is a high likelihood the team addresses this need in the draft.
The Jets have the third overall pick overall in the 2019 draft so are in a great position to take a tackle or a guard to provide some much-needed depth.
The likes of Jonah Williams or Cody Ford would be likely targets for the team, both providing NFL ready skill-sets to the position.
Pass Rusher
Jets fans were fired up after the reported signing of Vikings edge rusher Anthony Barr, only to have their joy taken from them when he decided to stay in Minnesota.
The Jets have pass rushers on their current roster, but none that are on Barr’s elite level and this needs to be a priority.
The team recorded 37 sacks against opposing quarterbacks in 2018, tied for 20th in the league.
New York could improve their entire game by improving at edge rusher position.
Luckily there are plenty of options in this year’s ‘Edge’ heavy draft class such as Nick Bosa, Josh Allen or Montez Sweat.
These players would provide some top level talent at the position, and there is a good chance one of them will be wearing green come the end of the month.
Wide Receivers
The Jets wide receiving corps is severely lacking talent.
Quincy Enunwa is adequate, and the team has added two new receivers during free agency, but they lack star-level talent.
Arguably one of the most significant factors in whether a quarterback succeeds is the level of talent he has to work with.
Right now, Sam Darnold is working with adequate talent at best.
Take the Cleveland Browns as an example. They provided Baker Mayfield with one of the most exciting and potent rosters full of offensive weapons and you can bet 2019 will see Baker thrust into a new level of success.
If Darnold was throwing to Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry week after week, do you think he would’ve seen more success in 2018?
In a few weeks, the Jets will have a decision to make. They need to consider their options which are effectively doing nothing within the wide receivers room, drafting a caliber wideout, or looking to elevate one of their backups with hopes of a breakout season.
Whichever way the Jets brass go on any of these positions, the outlook for 2019 is positive.
Darnold is still someone to bank on, and with the addition of Le’Veon Bell and a new Head Coach in Gase, Jets fans should buckle up for an interesting draft and an exciting 2019 season.
