The Jets will have a new look during the 2019 season. And I’m not just talking about their new (and not really improved) uniforms, which would have surely dragged down New York’s offseason grade if that sort of thing was taken into consideration. Unfortunately, the Jets’ decision to hand out $78 million in guarantees to RB Le’Veon Bell and LB C.J. Mosley will drag down the grade. That’s a lot of money to spend on players who make most of their respective impacts in the run game. NFL games are decided by the passing game, and it’s difficult to say the Jets are significantly better in that regard after spending big in free agency.
Notable draft picks: DT Quinnen Williams, OLB Jachai Polite
Key acquisitions/re-signings: RB Le’Veon Bell, LB C.J. Mosley, WR Jamison Crowder, OG Kelechi Osemele, DE Henry Anderson, CB Brian Poole
Losses: G James Carpenter, CB Buster Skrine, DT Mike Pennel, C Spencer Long
Jamison Crowder was the big addition to the receiving corps. He’s a quality role player in the slot but he’s had trouble staying healthy and catching the football consistently. Kelechi Osemele was a nice addition to the offensive line but he’s at his best when run blocking. Again, the passing game doesn’t look much better, at least on paper.
If the Jets are going to take the next step toward playoff contention, it will be the result of in-house improvement. Sam Darnold is obviously the key to the potential turnaround. If he’s demonstrably better in Year 2, the Jets will be a much better team. If he isn’t, an expensive running back and off-the-ball linebacker won’t make much of a difference.
It’s hard to blame the Jets for spending big in free agency. They did not have much in the way of draft capital after trading up to take Darnold back in 2018. New York did manage to land one of the few blue-chip prospects in this class when Quinnen Williams fell to them at pick No. 3. He could make a bigger impact than any of the splash signings the Jets made this offseason — and he’ll be a lot cheaper. That’s why it’s always smarter to build through the draft.
