As the Jets enter the offseason. the team has glaring holes throughout the roster.
After finishing 7-9, the Jets aren’t exactly a team that is a couple of pieces away from being a Super Bowl contender. New York is in need of remodeling on the offensive line and lacks a No. 1 cornerback and wide receiver.
While Joe Douglas has his work cut out for him, he doesn’t have the most cap space in the NFL readily available, nor does he have copious amounts of premium draft picks. Despite improving by three wins, the Jets are in a similar place this offseason as they were last.
Here are the Jets’ biggest areas of concern entering the offseason.
Offensive Line
The offensive line is the Jets’ top positional need as they enter the offseason.
Once Gang Green made some much-needed changes to a battered front, the team’s offense started to play better. The changes, which involved moving on from Kelechi Osemele, placing Ryan Kalil and Brian Winters on injured reserve and benching Brandon Shell, paid dividends.
Unfortunately for New York, that isn’t enough to compete next season. Kelvin Beachum, Alex Lewis and Jonotthan Harrison all played relatively well, but they can’t all return as starters. It is likely that the Jets will have at least three new faces on the offensive line.
Cornerback
The cornerback position was a scattered mess heading into the 2019 season. Fourtanetly, DC Gregg Williams was able to get a lot out of little.
Two moves that should be made almost immediately by Joe Douglas? Move on from corners Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts, who are easy cap casualties after poor play and injuries riddled their 2019 seasons.
Brian Poole played like one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL and should be re-signed, while young players Blessuan Austin, Arthur Maulet and Maurice Canady all held their own despite minimal experience. Still, the Jets are lacking a true No. 1 cornerback and depth at the position.
With other pressing needs, however, it’s hard to imagine the Jets will break the bank for another member of the secondary after how the Johnson contract turned out. James Bradberry and Byron Jones may be out of the Jets’ price range, while players like Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, Ronald Darby, Eli Apple, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and Kendall Fuller present intriguing options.
Wide Reciever
Sam Darnold is still lacking a No. 1 wide receiver.
Robby Anderson is set to test the free agent market and he doesn’t appear willing to take a hometown discount. Even if he were to return, he’s still not a true No. 1.
Jamison Crowder emerged as the Jets’ slot receiver and he instantly became Darnold’s favorite target. Minus Crowder, the Jets don’t have receivers who defenses fear. It’s unclear whether or not Quincy Enunwa will ever play football again. The Jets can make him a cap casualty this spring, as he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis after suffering another neck injury, his second in three years.
If Anderson does indeed walk in free agency, the Jets won’t have viable options on the outside. Vyncint Smith was a nice find off the Texans practice squad, but he shouldn’t be starting for an NFL team that has aspirations of reaching the playoffs next season.
The Jets can look to take Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III at No. 11 if there is a run on offensive linemen inside the top-10. A.J. Green, Emmanuel Sanders and Amari Cooper could all be on the open market and would easily slide in to be the Jets’ No. 1 receiver. At the end of the day, Douglas has to improve the weapons around Darnold so the young quarterback can elevate his play to the next level.
Backup Quarterback
The Jets need a viable option behind Sam Darnold.
After the Jets quarterback went down with mono, it was former Broncos starter Trevor Siemian who was on deck. Siemian fractured his leg and Luke Falk was a disaster. It was a miracle for Falk to produce a first down.
Sam Darnold has only started 26 of 32 career games. With six missed games in two seasons, the Jets need a capable veteran option behind their young quarterback. New York’s season got out of hand without Darnold in the fold.
Someone like Case Keenum could benefit Darnold. His veteran presence and tutelage could aid the third-year quarterback as he attempts to elevate his play.
Edge Rusher
The Jets haven’t had an edge rusher who could get after the quarterback with consistency since Calvin Pace.
Jordan Jenkins, Jamal Adams and interior pressure are what the Jets relied on to get after opposing passers in 2019. While sacks still came aplenty for New York, the team can no longer ignore the edge rusher position.
Gang Green’s defense has gone far too long without a modern pass-rusher. Gregg Williams, and Todd Bowles before him, got creative with pass-rushing measures due to the team’s inability to find a capable player to rush the passer.
With players like Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler Jr., Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue all free agents this upcoming offseason, Joe Douglas cannot afford to whiff on the pass-rushing market.
Kicker
The Jets’ kicking woes have been nightmare material since Kaare Vedvik cost New York a Week 1 win against Buffalo.
Sam Ficken went 19-27 on kicks this season and failed to run with a kicking position for the taking. Jason Myers, meanwhile, proved to be irreplaceable as he continued to succeed in Seattle.
Joe Douglas had been with teams that had Justin Tucker, Robbie Gould and Jake Elliot as starting placekickers. It’s time he finds the Jets a franchise kicker that can be relied upon.
