It appears the Jets have begun their search for their next general manager, requesting to speak to Eagles VP Player Personnel Joe Douglas and Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly, among others. But whomever they choose will inherit a team not his own, and one with many areas that need to be addressed.
The next general manager will likely be in charge of the 53-man roster, or so Adam Gase and Christopher Johnson will have us believe. Even still, the roster is, for the most part, already completed. Former GM Mike Maccagnan spent luxuriously in free agency and ran an entire draft, so it will be hard to move players should the new GM want to make sweeping changes.
It will be on the next general manager to do what he can, as quickly as he can, to build a team that Adam Gase’s coaching staff can turn into a contender. Here are four areas he will need to address.
Scouting department
One of the biggest knocks against Mike Maccagnan’s tenure is his draft history: Less than half of his 22 picks between 2015-2017 are still on the team. The Jets fired VP of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger alongside Maccagnan, meaning the next GM will need to find someone to head their scouting department.
Above all else, these front office hirings will be the most important for the future of the Jets. If New York can start finding talent in the later rounds like the Eagles, Seahawks and Patriots, they won’t need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in free agency to fill in gaps on the roster. That starts and ends with hiring the right scouting department.
Cornerback
Offseason workouts have only just begun, but it’s already become apparent the team is in desperate need of cornerback depth.
The Jets still don’t have a true No. 2 cornerback alongside Trumaine Johnson after deciding not to re-sign Morris Clairborne this summer. New York allegedly has faith in Darryl Roberts to hold down the opposite side, but there’s no telling how a career backup will fare with consistent starter’s minutes.
Maccagnan didn’t address cornerback until the Jets’ final pick of the draft, so the team’s next GM would be wise to take another look at Claiborne or someone else in free agency.
Pass rusher
A team can never have too many pass rushers, especially a team like the Jets with few established players at the position.
Incumbent starters Brandon Copeland and Jordan Jenkins don’t strike fear in defenses and rookie Jachai Polite is still an unknown after falling all the way to the third round of the draft. Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson are solid on the defensive line, but neither are enough to give the Jets consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
There aren’t many pass rushers left in free agency, but the next GM could explore trading with teams looking to get rid of expensive, old or disgruntled players at a position of need for the Jets.
Offensive line
The Jets’ next GM needs to take a hard look at the offensive line after Maccagnan failed to really address the position.
A true starting center and quality depth along the line are paramount to protecting Sam Darnold during a pivotal sophomore season. If the Jets want to see their franchise quarterback take a big leap in his second year, it will start with a sturdier offensive line.
