Prime 5 Positions the NY Jets Must Tackle This Week

For these of you who haven’t utterly given up on the worst franchise in all of US skilled sports activities, it is a massive week! The NY Jets have an opportunity to defend their title as Offseason Champions by signing many individuals that we’ll most probably overestimate and get our hopes on once more. As you’ll be able to inform, I’m not too desperate to re-enter this cycle however I could haven’t any alternative if this new regime addresses the positions we’re about to debate.

There are many strikes Joe Douglas made final yr that profit us this yr (like this one), however what has this new regime scrambling a bit is all the one-year offers Douglas doled out final offseason. Now, in consequence, there are lots of holes to be stuffed all through the roster. My colleague Brandon Natale did a improbable job highlighting which Jets free brokers to re-sign, however for these positions, there aren’t any Jet choices that actually get these rooms to the place we want them to be. Let’s begin with the obvious:

5. Security

Throughout the whole Saleh Period this was probably the most uncared for place on the roster. It was a stark distinction from the times when the Jets had arguably one of the best security tandem in soccer, headed by multi-time All-Professional Jamal Adams. Nonetheless, this depreciation of the place didn’t matter an excessive amount of as a result of schematically the 2022 and 2023 Jets had been an excessive amount of for many opposing offenses to deal with. With a brand new regime, scheme, and philosophies being introduced in, now might be pretty much as good a time as any to lastly give correct consideration to this game-changing place. After all, Ashtyn Davis and Tony Adams can doubtlessly make good depth items, however let’s exit and seize a type of massive names (i.e. Justin Simmons, Jevon Holland) to place a high on this new-look Jets protection.

4. Cornerback

I’ll miss D.J. Reed dearly however I don’t blame him one bit for working as distant from the Jets as potential and never wanting again. His coach of alternative was fired, this workforce has been a dumpster fireplace, and he’d prefer to spend his final massive contract of his profession being profitable and competing for titles. That being mentioned, the Jets want to switch somebody who was ranked within the Prime-12 amongst his place for nearly yearly of his Jets profession – a canyon-sized gap to fill. Relying on how Steve Wilks and Aaron Glenn see it, they may find yourself shifting Michael Carter II to the surface and shuffle duties round amongst the expertise they have already got, however I’d sleep higher at night time with a veteran addition. At 26, MC II is the oldest CB within the room, so it’d be good to usher in an older man to assist coach up the younger guys (like Qwan’tez Stiggers) and assist set up that tradition the Jets so desperately want.

Darius Slay is a man I’ve beforehand talked about as an enormous enhance to the room, however it looks as if Carlton Davis is the extra in style title amongst media members who’re tying Davis to Glenn as a result of their shared time in Detroit. I’d be advantageous with both, however wouldn’t be advantageous with this place being ignored in free company. After all, if Will Johnson is on the market at #7 total that’d be intriguing, however you by no means need to put your self ready the place you have to draft a particular place so excessive. If Will isn’t there and it’s not addressed this week, we may very well be dealing with a disastrous state of affairs.

3. Tight Finish

I’m an enormous fan of Tyler Conklin and could be blissful if he returned to the Jets this season. Plainly the fanbase is much less impressed and desires to look elsewhere. The title I’m seeing is Juwan Johnson, who performed for the Saints and is coming off a “career year,” however these profession numbers are arguably worse than any yr Conklin had as a Jet.  If I’m in control of the search, I’d begin with Evan Engram, who had 114(!) catches for nearly 1,000 yards in 2023 earlier than battling accidents in 2024. Engram could be an improve whereas Johnson at greatest could be extra of the identical, simply with a greater relationship with the coach.

I’m additionally curious to see how the brand new regime evaluates the leftovers from the Saleh Period. Will Jeremy Ruckert play a task this season? Is there any probability Kenny Yeboah is likely one of the Jets that will get re-signed? Tight finish is a crucial place that seemingly each workforce has been capable of make the most of successfully moreover the Jets. If we’re seeing the Lions’ philosophy come over to Florham Park then maybe that place can be used far more effectively, as seen with Sam Laporta and T.J. Hockenson throughout the Campbell Period. After all, having a man like Tyler Warren on a rookie deal wouldn’t be so unhealthy both.

2. Defensive Deal with

A few of you could suppose that is too excessive on the record for an additional place that has been disrespected for fairly a while, however we must always all agree one of many largest issues of final yr was the run protection. A really shut second was the dearth of constant stress we had been capable of generate. Once more, we don’t know what sort of protection Steve Wilks is planning on working so we don’t know precisely what roles every participant will fill however I do know having Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald IV as your solely dependable choices on the line of defense just isn’t a recipe for achievement within the trenches. I’ve a ton of respect for Jermaine Johnson and hope he’s a Jet for years to return however we’ve seen from Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Carl Lawson how robust it’s to return again from an Achilles damage so I’m anticipating to see the Jermaine we all know and love in 2026 slightly than 2025.

Regardless, Jermaine and Will are Defensive Ends. I’m on the lookout for a high quality beginning sort out subsequent to Quinnen Williams to lastly finish the cycle of band aids which were put beside him the previous couple of years. I’d like to see the Jets draft Mason Graham at #7, however as we mentioned for Security, we can’t danger placing all of our eggs in a single basket. In the event you’re following the identical primary media philosophy of naming each participant who has ever performed for Aaron Glenn, then the title Levi Onwuzurike stands out. This can be a man who has solely performed for Aaron Glenn in his complete profession, is an ascending participant (27 years previous), and was ranked forty first out of 219 in opposition to the run and fifteenth out of 219 in pressures for 2024.

1.  Vast Receiver

I believe the hole between no 1 and quantity 2 on this record is very large. I wrote a chunk on Malachi Corley and the way I consider we shouldn’t rely him out, however for those who’re counting confirmed property within the WR room, then we’ve no alternative however to take action. Garrett Wilson is the lone participant in the whole room who has ever had 300 yards in a season. There’s severe work to be accomplished on this room, and I might hope so as to add a minimum of two receivers in free company earlier than drafting one in April. With that being mentioned, I’m not against signing the favored title (and former Lion after all) Tim Patrick.

I agree with Coach Glenn’s quote that folks change tradition, and if he thinks Tim Patrick is a type of tradition changers then signal him up. Nonetheless, if at any level Patrick is a high 4 receiver on the depth chart, one thing has gone severely unsuitable. Accidents robbed him of the whole 2022 and 2023 seasons however in 2024 he made his triumphant return the place he logged 33 catches, 394 yards, 3 touchdowns in 16 video games with the Lions. He turns 32 this season and I’m very comfy betting the farm that his greatest soccer days are behind him.

Names that I’m far more comfy beginning on the surface reverse Garrett Wilson are Amari Cooper, Darius Slayton, or the 27-year-old Nick Westbrook-Ikhine coming off a profession yr. All these guys both had 500 yards or 9 touchdowns final yr and the latter two are each on the correct facet of 30. Amari could also be on the opposite facet, however as a fourth total choose who made 5 Professional Bowls in his 10 seasons I’m certain there are such a lot of issues Garrett can study from him. In contrast to another receivers his age, Cooper doesn’t include the tremendous inflated ego or any calls for to the touch the ball each play (simply ask Buffalo!). He’s only a gifted ball participant who has performed the sport at a excessive degree for years.

Give me Tim Patrick and a type of three guys I discussed above and I’m okay with free company. Add Tetairoa McMillan to that and I’d in all probability be the happiest man on Earth for a minimum of the remainder of April. T-Mac or no T-Mac although, Wilson, Cooper, Corley is a strong trio with Tim Patrick again there altering the tradition within the locker room. With T-Mac and even one other excessive draft prospect like Emeka Egbuka, and now we’re a receiving core that’d be set to dominate the league for years to return (assuming they offer Garrett the extension he deserves). Let’s begin fixing some points! Let’s go Jets.

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Born and raised in NY, cursed to be a Jets, Knicks, and Mets fan for all times. I take turns yearly crying over my snake-bitten franchises however hopefully earlier than I die my favourite of the bunch (Jets) will have the ability to reward my timeless religion in them. Within the meantime, I am going to present rational perception and evaluation to assist in giving you a sensible perspective on the greenest present in New York Metropolis!