Let’s no sugarcoat it: This is an important offseason for the Jets. Joe Douglas will finally be able to make wide-sweeping changes in his quest to build a contender, and the right moves could signal a shift for the downtrodden franchise.
The roster needs fixing, there’s no denying it. From the offensive line to the secondary to the pass rush, the Jets need help at various positions. It is crucial for Douglas to identify and prioritize which problems need resolving first, how to solve them and then executing that plan.
Here is Jets Wire’s to-do for Douglas heading into his first offseason as the Jets’ general manager.
Decide on in-house free agents
The Jets have 32 players set to hit free agency this summer, including a couple of key 2019 contributors. Wide receiver Robby Anderson, cornerback Brian Poole, left tackle Kelvin Beachum and outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins are the four biggest names Douglas will need to decide on quickly. All four will command different contracts, but Douglas could keep them all as he begins to reconstruct the roster in his image.
Anderson is obviously the biggest name given his position, production, price and connection to Sam Darnold. Anderson said he believes the Jets want to keep him, but he also wants to test the open market. Once Douglas figures out what to do with his current free agents, he’ll understand the gaps across the roster and can plan for the rest of free agency and the draft.
Upgrade offensive line
This should be Douglas’ No. 1 priority this offseason after re-signing any impending free agents. The Jets offensive line was horrid throughout the entire 2019 season because of inconsistent play and injury, and it’s a huge reason why the offense ranked near the bottom in all statistical categories. The unit failed to run or pass block; the Jets ranked 32nd in rushing yards before contact per attempt and allowed the second-highest pressure rate on dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ryan Kalil, Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell, Tom Compton and Alex Lewis – all starters at some point in 2019 – are all unrestricted free agents, and starting right guard Brian Winters is a likely cut in the final year of his contract. Conceivably, the Jets could open the 2020 season without all six linemen on the roster if Douglas wants a complete overhaul. Tackle Chuma Edoga and center Jonotthan Harrison would be the only 2019 starters still under contract.
This is a linemen-deep draft class and multiple mocks have the Jets taking either a tackle or a guard with the 11th pick. They also have three picks in the next two rounds, and it wouldn’t be shocking for the Jets to take another lineman with at least one of those Day 2 picks. There are also several solid starting linemen who could hit free agency this offseason. With over $50 million in cap space, Douglas has a great opportunity to give Sam Darnold much better protection with both the draft and free agency.
Fix the secondary
The Jets opened the 2019 season with Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts as the top two cornerbacks. They ended with 2019 sixth-round pick Bless Austin and undrafted free agent Arthur Maulet. Outside of the offensive line, the secondary is the position group that needs the most attention.
New York actually ranked 17th in passing yards allowed and tied for 13th in passing touchdowns allowed but was still gashed through the air in several games this season. Safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Brian Poole – both of whom ranked top-10 in coverage at their respective positions, per Pro Football Talk – were among the few bright spots in the secondary along with Austin. Those three aren’t enough to save the unit, especially considering Poole is an impending free agent and Adams’ future with the Jets has been in question since October.
Douglas will have to take a hard look at the entire cornerback landscape before fixing the secondary. Cutting Johnson and Roberts will free up some money, but the free agent pool is suspect. The draft is another avenue, but also a crapshoot. Fortunately for the Jets, Austin performed well at the end of the season and could become a solid starter in 2020.
Find a pass rusher
The Jets haven’t had a quality pass rusher in over a decade and don’t have anyone currently on the roster that inspires confidence. Jordan Jenkins is solid but not a star and is also an impending free agent. Gregg Williams likes to blitz but had to use Jamal Adams as his primary pass rusher without someone he could consistently trust on the edge.
Whether it’s the draft or free agency, pass rush help needs to be in the top-five on Douglas’ to-do list. There are several high-profile names in free agency, but Douglas might opt to go for a cheaper option or find someone in the draft. Either way, the Jets need more than Jenkins on the edge if they want to get to the quarterback in 2020.
Sign a quality backup quarterback
This is an under-the-radar move but an important one. The Jets looked like a Division III offense without Sam Darnold under center in 2018 and 2019 and should take a hard look at a veteran quarterback who can play in a pinch. The trio of Trevor Siemian, Luke Falk and David Fales isn’t going to cut it for the Jets in 2020 if Darnold misses time again.
There are a couple solid options in free agency whom Douglas could target to backup up Darnold, including a few former Gase quarterbacks from his Dolphin days. It might cost a little more to bring in a good backup, but the insurance is worth it for a team looking to make a jump in 2020.
Give Darnold more weapons
The Jets have a good amount of playmakers on their team, but they need more for Darnold to thrive. Le’Veon Bell was ineffective behind a bad offensive line and mediocre offense, Robby Anderson didn’t hit his stride until late in the season and Jamison Crowder can’t be the go-to receiver option.
Finding quality weapons for Darnold to use – in addition to the ones he currently possesses – will help the young quarterback develop and give Adams Gase a better chance to rebound from a poor 2019 season. Douglas should use every avenue at his disposal – free agency, the draft, trades, the waiver wire – to give Darnold and Gase the best opportunity to succeed in 2020. There are plenty of players out there that the Jets could use; the key is to find them at the right price to keep the integrity of the rest of the roster.
