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The start of last season felt so promising, so refreshing, so different. The Jets finally had hope, just to have it snatched away from them within four offensive snaps. Gang Green took a step back this offseason, re-evaluated their roster, and gave themselves more insurance in case there is a repeat of the year before.
Now it's time to put it all together. Let's see how my 11th ranked team remade this roster to take another shot at a playoff berth.
Photo: Seth Wenig/Associated Press
Strengths
Elite Defense
Aaron Rodgers & Garrett Wilson Connection
Decent OL Depth
From top to bottom, this defense is loaded. This roster boasts the best LB duo in the league with CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams, one of the best CB trios in the league with Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, and Michael Carter II, and this pass rush is deadly, featuring Jermaine Johnson, Quinnen Williams, Haason Reddick (if he gets extended), Will McDonald IV, and Javon Kinlaw. That's not even including their run stuffers in Michael Clemons, Leki Fotu, and potentially Leonard Taylor III if he can make the roster.
We missed out on it last year, but the Rodgers and Wilson connection should be one of the best in the NFL. In spite of his QBs, Garrett has had relatively great production, as he's put up the 19th most yards over the past two seasons. To boot, if we remove his drops, he's has a career reception rate of 56.29%, meaning he's had the most off-target passes come his way across the entire league. Pairing him up with one of the most accurate QBs of all time will unlock his true potential.
For once, the Jets have a deep OL. There are seven pieces that have gotten significant snaps over the past three seasons, and they also added Olu Fashanu through the draft. Most teams dress seven linemen on gamedays, so even if one or two guys go down throughout the season, they'll still have, at the worst, five guys who can plug and play at a decent level.
Weaknesses
Injury Prone Roster
Wide Receiver Depth
Tight End Threats
Typically, I leave injuries out of my projections. With that said, it's difficult to see this team being even moderately healthy by the halfway point of the season. They have multiple starters on roster who have missed significant playing time over the past several years, namely Aaron Rodgers, Tyron Smith, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mike Williams, and Chuck Clark. These are some big names, and if they lose even half of them for a considerable chunk of the year, it can get ugly real quick.
On paper, the depth seems pretty good. If Mike Williams can stay healthy, and Allen Lazard figures out how to play with his 6'5 frame, this WR room could be lethal. Given that those are two big ifs, I don't see much promise from this group outside of Garrett Wilson. I do have somewhat high hopes for Malachi Corley, and he should win the slot role from Xavier Gipson. Even if he does, he may not bring the impact this team needs as a rookie.
The Jets haven't had a good tight end in a long time, with Dustin Keller being the last decent name they've had at the position. This year is no different, with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert set to be the top two TEs. I think this is the year Ruckert starts to earn his keep, but we haven't seen much from him as a receiver - even when he's gotten the ball in his hands.
Key Additions
Tyron Smith - Offensive Tackle
Haason Reddick - Edge Defender
Olu Fashanu - Offensive Tackle
If Tyron can stay healthy for more than 12 games this season, then this is a great signing. He's a first ballot HOF tackle, and was an anchor for the Cowboys OL for over a decade. He remains one of the best pass protectors in the league, as he allowed just 1 pressure on every 27 pass rushes in 2023, which is an insane number for an offensive tackle. He also put up an 89.3 pass blocking grade, the third highest mark of his career.
Since switching to a full-time edge role, Haason has been a problem for opposing offenses. Over the past four seasons, he's put up a 12.67% pressure rate across three different teams. He's also added 123 stops + TFLs and 14 forced fumbles in that time, making him one of the most impactful defenders in the league. If the Jets can get a deal done with him, he will provide them a massive spark on defense.
I know it's off-brand for me to put two players at the same exact position as key additions, but Olu was a great pickup for the Jets. Olu is ready to play now, and assuming Tyron goes down at some point, which he will, they'll have a seamless transition with him on the field. His strong suit is pass protection, as he allowed just 17 pressures on nearly 700 pass block snaps in his entire college career.
Dark Horse
Qwan'tez Stiggers - Defensive Back
This was a great pick for the Jets, and Stiggers has an even better story. The versatile DB played his freshmen year at Division II Lane College in 2020, but dropped out after his father passed from a tragic car accident. He walked through his depression and was guided by his mother to try out for Fan Controlled Football in 2022. He was later signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he would go on to win CFL Rookie of the Year and be named an All-Star in 2023. He was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, and was drafted by the Jets in the 5th round that subsequent Draft.
As far as his play goes, he's got a great sense of zone coverage. He does his best work when playing in flat coverage, and when asked to expand that with deeper routes. He knows when to trail a receiver versus when to stay over the top. He plays with his hair on fire against the run, and he makes plays when he gets the ball in his hands on a turnover. Whether he plays corner or safety, he'll find his way onto the field.
Photo: Al Pereira/New York Jets
Record
9-8
The Jets are going to win a bunch of games early - assuming Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor can stay healthy. I have them starting 5-2, with their only challenges coming against the 49ers and Bills. As the season goes on, they'll play tougher teams, while most likely losing starters around the midway point, if not earlier. It's a brutal finish, as they play top half ranked teams from Week 11 to Week 18. I have a feeling they'll skid to the end, and they'll just miss playoffs because of it.
Final Notes
Health is by far the most important factor on this team. For other teams, they can make do, but with the amount of injury prone starters on this team, it's tough to project them to be a playoff team. If the Jets can stay fully healthy or at least close, they can be the best team in the AFC, but the odds of that happening are slim to none.
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