The Jets, as a team, have a lot to prove in 2020.
They’ll need to show the league their 7-9 2019 finish wasn’t a fluke or a product of their schedule and that Sam Darnold and the offense can compete with the best teams around. That’s a tall order for a relatively young team, and a lot will depend on what Joe Douglas accomplished this offseason in free agency and the draft.
Players, too, will have a lot of pressure to display their abilities and continue to fight for their careers. Some Jets are young and looking to shake off some bust potential, while other veterans need to maintain they’re still a valued contributor on the team.
Here are six Jets with the most to prove this season.
Sam Darnold
Darnold isn’t fighting for his starting job or a new contract – yet – but 2020 will be pivotal for his development as he enters his third season as a pro. There is a lot of speculation that Darnold isn’t a franchise quarterback because he hasn’t shown significant improvement from college to Year 1 to Year 2. Some of that can be attributed to an inept offense and two different offensive schemes, but this year he won’t get the benefit of the doubt.
Darnold needs to prove not just to the Jets, but to the rest of the league, that he’s a legit quarterback. He’ll get his best chance since the Jets drafted him with a new offensive line, some new skill position players and a second year with Adam Gase. If Darnold can show he’s as good as advertised, he could earn a big contract extension, too.
Le’Veon Bell
At one point in his career, Bell was considered one of the best running backs in the league. He wasn’t even close to that in 2019. Bell had one of his worst career seasons and proved to be one of the least efficient runners, ranking 44th in defense-adjusted yards above replacement out of 45 qualified rushers.
Bell could be on the outs in New York if he doesn’t perform given his contract, so this will be a pivotal season to his future in the league. He flashed his typical self sparingly in 2019, so a big year would put him and his fans at ease.
Mekhi Becton
First-round rookies always endure a lot of extra pressure because of their high draft status, and Becton is no different. The Jets had a lot of options with the 11th overall pick but took Becton instead of other linemen or other positions. Becton will be an integral piece in the Jets’ revamped offensive line. That’s a lot to expect from a player with a lot of raw ability.
Becton won’t have the luxury of a regular offseason, thus making his first year in the NFL even harder from a learning standpoint. If Becton plays well, Joe Douglas’ first draft will be heralded as a success. But if he doesn’t, a lot of people will point fingers at the other options that were on the table.
Avery Williamson
Williamson is playing for his job. After tearing his ACL and missing the entire 2019 season, Williamson isn’t a sure bet to make the roster because of his injury, age and contract. The Jets would save $6.5 million by cutting Williamson before the season, but the team plans on letting him compete for the starting inside linebacker job.
The Jets have a plethora of linebackers on the roster who played admirably last season, so keeping Williamson at this point would be a luxury. But, if Williamson can show the Jets he’s their best option and that experience is king, he’ll prove his worth.
Jordan Jenkins
From a production standpoint, Jenkins has proved his worth. He led the Jets in sacks the past two seasons with seven in 2018 and eight in 2019. He is entrenched as the team’s starting left outside linebacker. Despite his ability, Jenkins still didn’t earn a big contract this offseason and signed a small one-year deal to remain with the Jets.
Jenkins has a great opportunity to showcase his ability once and for all in a second season with Gregg Williams. He’s a good player, but he can show to the NFL world he’s a great player with an even better 2020.
Nathan Shepherd
The Shepherd experience hasn’t worked out so well after the Jets drafted the Divison II defensive lineman in the third round of the 2018 draft. He played in 31 percent of snaps his rookie season and in only 21 percent in 2019.
The Jets don’t need him given the bevy of linemen on the roster, but Shepherd showed his ability at times in 2019. He’ll need to go above and behind this year, though, to make an impact on the defense and stick around.
