New York Jets
2019 Record: (7-9) 3rd AFC East
2019 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 17.2 (31st)
Yards: 273.0 (32nd)
Pass Yards: 194.4 (29th)
Rush Yards: 78.6 (31st)
Defense
Points: 22.4 (16th)
Yards: 323.1 (7th)
Pass Yards: 236.2 (17th)
Rush Yards: 86.9 (2nd)
Going back to dissect what transpired
for the New York Jets in the 2019 off-season, it was understandable to witness
the fan base getting excited. Starting fresh and hiring Adam Gase to be the
head coach in hopes to turn things around, the Jets opened their pocket book
and went on a spending spree in signing many high priced free agents.
Keeping steady in the belief that Sam
Darnold is the long term answer at the quarterback position, the Jets signed
Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder to help move the offense forward. Having
already spent big dollars the season prior to bring Trumaine Johnson to the
mix, adding CJ Mosley this past off-season was a massive move to help the
defensive side. With that, expectations naturally rose to believe this club
could contend with the likes of the Patriots for rights to win the division
crown.
Needless to say, the offense still
looked rather anemic under coach Gase which is a grave disappointment, as this
is supposed to be his forte. Granted, Sam Darnold did miss time on the field
due to health issues (mono) which left the Jets in a state of flux being forced
to start Trevor Siemian and Luke Fauk in his absence. And while Darnold only
missed three contests, the Jets held a 1-7 record by week nine which ultimately
removed them from the playoff conversation and placed Coach Gase on the hot
seat.
With that said, the Jets were able to
force a rebound as Gase adjusted his system to promote better execution while
the defense played sound football for most of the season. The positives from
this Jets squad did come from the defensive side as they held the second best
statistical rank in run defense and seventh best in total yards allowed. To
make matters more impressive, this was completed without the services of CJ
Mosely who was lost for all but two games in 2019.
With another lost season on the books
and seeing much controversy in the locker room, the organization choose to keep
pace with Gase for 2020 in hopes continuity would be the guiding light.
2020 Offseason WorkBook:
The Offense
In attempts to understand this offense
and what they require to be better in 2020, everything starts and stops at the
quarterback position. When it comes to Sam Darnold we must be brutally honest
in how we view his level of play. Many want to place his troubles on the
offensive line, but given the fact that he was sacked a mere 33 times last
season – we can’t place blame there. Realistically, the knock on Darnold out of
college was in inability to secure the football while being careless in some of
his pass attempts. This evaluation could again be seen on film for most of the
season. No one can forget the Monday Night debacle where Darnold threw four
interceptions and admitted he was seeing ghosts while being mic’d up.
What emerged for Darnold in 2019 was 13
interceptions and 11 fumbles (three lost) on the season. Only being able to
throw for 300-yards on one occasion, it’s difficult to throw much support that
great progression was realized in his second NFL campaign. However, still being
a young quarterback under a second offensive installation in as many years,
we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest 2020 will be a far better
year.
When it comes to the running back
position, a great conflict arose to if Coach Gase agreed with the signing of
Bell to the club from the onset. Hearing rumors that Gase didn’t approve the
move and was quite annoyed with it, lackluster performances was the outcome
from the former super star runner. Bell continuously angled to be provided more
touches in the offense, never seeing a 100-yard contest come was another giant
disappointment. Seeing some of his lowest totals in the receiving game was also
a surprise, as this could’ve assisted Darnold on many occasions to keep drives
moving via the check down. Either way, the story line this off-season will
continue to have Bell attached to it, and we wouldn’t be shocked to see him
play elsewhere in 2020.
Looking to the other skilled positions
on this team, the Jets receiving core also underwhelmed for the most part in
2019. Jamison Crowder became a favorite target of Darnold as the year moved
forward and became the leading pass catcher on the team. Robby Anderson again
slowed good flash of what he could become but again couldn’t come close to
1000-yards receiving for the first time in his career. With that, Anderson is
poised to be playing elsewhere next season (free agent) as his request for a
big money deal is surly on the horizon. This is a position of great need in New
York and we truly believe it will be addressed in either free agency or the NFL
draft.
For our appetite, outside of Darnold,
Crowder, and perhaps Bell – everything on this offense is up for review and
potential upgrade. The offensive line will need to be revamped with many
searching for new contracts, adding another viable running back to the club
could remove Bell from the roster, and adding play making wide receivers is the
only way to help Darnold improve to be that true franchise passer. The offense
should be the primary focus in 2020.
The Defense
While it feels as though we trashed the
offensive side of the ball, we have many positives to promote for a defense
that played admirably in 2019. Amidst all the turnover from players released or
traded from this side of the ball, the Jets impressed with very sound defensive
play.
This unit isn’t loaded with talent, but
it was how they were constructed which led them to be stronger then we had
envisioned. Led by all-star Jamal Adams and his ability to be a force all over
the field, the defense confused the opposition while scheming perfectly at
times. The end result became one of the tougher run defenses in the entire
league. In hindsight, we really wonder how much better they could’ve been with
Mosely on the field for the entire season.
For the most part, this defense also
could be revamped with Adams, Mosley and Quinnen Williams being the steadfast
pieces to build around. Rumor has it that Trumaine Johnson could be on his way
out of town with a heavy contract and minimal output lining his resume in his
time with the Jets. And while other players like Jordan Jenkins and Darryl
Roberts made waves to promote a return to the club, time will tell if they fit
into the overall scope of this roster.
Adding to that, Avery Williamson who was
lost to a season ending injury is something of a forgotten man on this defense.
If he can return to full health with Mosley anchoring the middle of the field,
this is something to be very excited about for the 2020 campaign.
All-in-all, while the defense did have
sound moments of triumph this past season, its clear that a rebuild will occur
on this side as well to shape it a way that would provide sustainable
success.
Team Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
With any team under preforming while
committing big money to a number of players, the Jets find themselves hovering
around the league average in terms of free cap space. Currently holding 56.1
million in free dollars, they will have room to operate in free agency but do
have a healthy 30 team free agents to contend with.
The largest concern is placed on the
offensive line as four of their five starters are all looking for new
contracts. One would have to believe that retaining at least two of these players
is a must, while adding more in the draft could round out the unit as a whole.
With Ryan Kalil looking to head back to retirement, Kelvin Beachum appears to
be the no brainer resign of the group.
With other players looking to come back
to the fold, Jordan Jenkins screams out to be a top priority to garner that new
contract. Brain Poole, Alex Lewis, and Brandon Shell round out the list of
players that the Jets should entertain a reunion with, but we wouldn’t be
shocked to see them be an afterthought as well.
For the purpose of these team workbooks,
we always make the attempt to find more dollars for teams to save, primarily in
removing bad contracts from the books. With the above comment hearing rumor
that Johnson could be a cap causality, waiting to release him (post June 1st)
would allow this to happen. At that time he would hold a mere four million in
dead funds while saving a nice 11 million to the cap. Quincy Enunwa is another
player that may never play football again due to injury (neck) and could likely
see a release with an injury settlement. With that, if the Jets decide to cut
bait post June 1st as well, they would save a decent six million
with a tiny 1.8 million heading to dead funds. Even with the great need at the
wide receiver position, we should see Enunwa off the Jets roster in 2020.
Outside of that, the Jets don’t have
many other viable or attractive options to remove from the team. With respect
to Bell and his potential departure, he would leave behind a massive 13 million
in dead money if released or traded post June 1st. The desire to
move forward with this transaction would solely be based on preference and if
Coach Gase can convince the front office of his displeasure and new path
forward with a runner of his choice. Like we said earlier, this will be a
situation to watch.
The NFL Draft
As we stand today in preparation for the
NFL Draft, the Jets hold seven picks for 2020 while securing an additional
third round pick and holding no seventh round selection. Much like we highlighted
above, much inadequacy fills this roster and New York could move in multiple
directions come late April.
Offense appears to be the way in which
the Jets will move, making either a top wide receiving prospect or top
offensive lineman the choice at 11 overall. Depending on how the top 10 picks
shake out, New York could find great fortune with potential super star CeeDee
Lamb or Jerry Jeudy ripe for the picking at their spot. Selecting one of these
dynamic play making threats would undoubtedly provide excitement, while giving
Darnold a true number one target for what could be the next 10-years.
While fans love seeing elite players
taken at primary positions, the Jets would also consider less sexy picks with
either offensive line or defensive line in the second and third rounds. It’s
important to note that clubs built correctly begin in the trenches and should
never be overlooked - specifically on a roster mirroring one like the Jets.
Having three picks in the top 68, New
York will find players that will help improve the club entirely, with the
potential to have a new receiver and running back to create a youthful trio to
play with Darnold. Get ready Jets fans, your pain could be ending very soon.
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