Last year the New York Jets were one of the worst teams in the league. This year team management looked at last year and knew they had just barely scratched the surface of how horrible they could be. The Jets are tanking the 2017 season and at this point there’s nobody even arguing about it.
The tank is an interesting strategy. Is New York’s quarterback of the future atop next year’s draft? Do they want to trade the No. 1 pick for multiple picks? Frankly, either is a solid strategy because, after last season, it’s clear nothing good was happening in 2017 anyway. With all that in mind, let’s take a look at how the off-season shaped up for general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles. It’s going to get ugly.
Free Agents/Players Kept
Brian Winters, Offensive Lineman
Free Agents/Players Gained
Kelvin Beachum, Offensive Tackle, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys
Josh McCown, Quarterback, formerly of the Cleveland Browns
Demario Davis, Inside Linebacker, acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns
Free Agents/Players Lost
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nick Folk, Kicker, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, signed with the New York Giants
Geno Smith, Quarterback, signed with the New York Giants
Ryan Clady, Offensive Tackle,still a free agent
Nick Mangold, Center, still a free agent
Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, still a free agent
Calvin Pryor, Safety, traded to the Cleveland Browns
Khiry Robinson, Running Back, still a free agent
2017 NFL Draft
Round 1: Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU
Round 2: Marcus Maye, Safety, Florida
Round 3: ArDarius Stewart, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Round 4: Chad Hansen, Wide Receiver, California
Round 5: Jordan Leggett, Tight End, Clemson
Round 5: Dylan Donahue, Defensive Lineman, West Georgia
Round 6: Elijah McGuire, Running Back, Louisiana-Lafayette
Round 6:Jeremy Clark, Cornerback, Michigan
Round 6: Derrick Jones, Cornerback, Ole Miss
Proposed Offensive Starters
QB: Josh McCown
RB: Matt Forte
WR: Charone Peake
WR: Robby Anderson
WR: Quincy Enunwa
TE: Jordan Leggett
LT: Ben Ijalana
RT: Kelvin Beachum
LG: James Carpenter
RG: Brian Winters
C: Wesley Johnson
Offensive Outlook
There was obviously a point when the off-season began that the Jets were playing it straight. They signed two big time free agent, one being offensive tackle Kelvin Beachem to take the right spot on the offensive line. Ben Ijilana keeps his job on the left side after starting 13 games last season. Back up Wesley Johnson also remains a starter at center after playing the final eight games of last season.
For whatever reason, this Jets regime has kept Matt Forte at running back and I’m sure he’s thrilled about it. Last year Forte was the only consistent offensive weapon the Jets could put on the field. He finished with 218 carries for 813 yards and seven touchdowns to go with 30 receptions for 263 yards and a score.
This is, unquestionably, the worst group of wide receivers in the league, but there’s some budding talent for the future thanks to a couple of solid drafts. They’ll get their chance to play. My money is on Chad Hansen finding his way into a starting role alongside Charone Peake and Quincy Enunwa before season’s end. The Jets stole Jordan Leggett in the fifth round of the draft and he’ll probably be their best red zone weapon this year for what it’s worth.
Josh McCown gets the nod at quarterback, but, really, don’t be surprised to see anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, starting for the Jets this season. So tell your local Subway sandwich artist to make sure he can pass a physical.
Proposed Defensive Starters
DE: Leonard Williams
DT: Sheldon Richardson
DE: Muhammad Wilkerson
OLB: Lorenzo Mauldin
OLB: Jordan Jenkins
ILB: Darron Lee
ILB: Demario Davis
CB: Morris Claiborne
CB: Buster Skrine
FS: Jamal Adams
SS: Marcus Maye
Defensive Outlook
After experimenting with Sheldon Richardson as a stand up outside linebacker last season, that appears to be over. The Jets are moving him back to the defensive line and if they can get him back to his 2014-15 form, they could have one of the best units in the game. Richardson, even in a down year, was still fourth on the team with 62 tackles to go with 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended.
Darron Lee will keep the job he earned over the last nine games of 2016 (barring a suspension), as will Jordan Jenkins at outside linebacker. New York brought back inside linebacker Demario Davis in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to take over for the departed David Harris. That still leaves a hole on the other outside linebacker spot. I’ve plugged in Lorenzo Mauldin who started three games last season, but it’s a wide open job.
In the secondary, the Jets look to start both their first and second round picks at safety in Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. At corner, their other big money free agent acquisition, Morris Claiborne takes one job. Buster Skrine is still the best option on the other side.
Grade: D+
As much as the Jets are trying to tank, they had a solid draft that will pay off long term. Frankly, tanking this season will make it pay more. This looks like a team, especially in their division, that could push the 2008 Detroit Lions as the worst NFL team of all time. That Lions squad definitely had more talent.
O/U wins: 1.5
Preseason Schedule
Week 1: Tennessee Titans
Week 2: at Detroit Lions
Week 3: at New York Giants
Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles
Regular Season Schedule
Week 1: at Buffalo Bills
Week 2: at Oakland Raiders
Week 3: Miami Dolphins
Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
Key game: If the Jets aren’t going 0-16, this game might be the reason. While the Browns will be improved over last year’s team, they still have a long way to go. This could be New York’s only chance for a win. Trust that the Browns, who have experience in this situation, know this.
Week 6: New England Patriots
Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
Week 8: Atlanta Falcons
Week 9: Buffalo Bills
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Carolina Panthers
Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14: at Denver Broncos
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 16: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: at New England Patriots
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