By: Ross Mazin
The New York Jets certainly had some high points last season and exceeded expectations. They ultimately fell short of making the playoffs. The Jets finished 7-10 and lost their final six games. The main culprit of these losses was the offense. Zach Wilson struggled most of the year. Wilson had a 54.5 completion percentage, 1,688 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Wilson was benched at points for Mike White and Joe Flacco. There are games Wilson cost the Jets, none more than the two games against the New England Patriots. The Jets could have made the playoffs if Wilson had played well in those games.
Overall they did ok, and I’d give them a grade of a C plus. The bright spots were rookies Sauce Gardener and Garrett Wilson, who won offensive and defensive rookie of the year, respectively. Breece Hall was another bright spot with 463 yards and four touchdowns in seven games before tearing his ACL. The Jets’ defense was fourth in yards per game and were in the top ten in sacks. But as a team, they were at the bottom of the league in turnover differential at -7. Only the Raiders, Saints, and Colts had a worse turnover differential than the Jets.
If the Jets want to improve, they have to sign a quarterback like Derek Carr or trade for Aaron Rodgers. Anything outside of those two is an undersell. I want to hear about something other than Jimmy Garoppolo or Ryan Tannehill. Go big or go home. They might be trying to lure Rodgers in by bringing in his former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett; if the Jets land Rodgers another way to make him comfortable is to add his teammate Allen Lazard, who has become a big weapon for Rodgers in the last two seasons. Jets quarterbacks were sacked 42 times last year, so no matter who the quarterback is, they have to sure up the line. I’d also like to see them look at the safety market, which has some good names on it. Tashaun Gipson, Taylor Rapp, and Vonn Bell all make sense.
DRAFT
RD 1 (13) Paris Johnson – OT – Ohio State – Johnson was solid at Ohio State and is viewed as a top lineman in this draft. With uncertainty around the Jets line, this pick feels like a no-brainer.
RD 2 (43) Demarion Overshown – LB – Texas. The Jets can use linebacker help, especially with us needing to know the future of Kwon Alexander. Overshown is a very effective blitzing linebacker.
RD 3 (74) – Wanya Morris – OT Oklahoma – Very athletic tackle who is a better pass blocker than run blocker. He needs to improve in some areas but has a very high upside.
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