This is an annual series by me and Luke where we predict, and mock an off-season for certain teams. We start every year with each of our favorite teams and run through realistic off-season moves to improve the team.
Moving on next we have the New York Jets. I chose the Jets, because well, I live in New Jersey and I'm surrounded by miserable Jets fans.
Coaching Staff
The coaching staff is critical to improving the team as a whole, so we will start with that as the first pillar of the off-season.
The Jets hired former Lions (DC) Aaron Glenn as their newest Head Coach. A good hire for the Jets, and one of the top candidates I had in mind for them. My top choices, for this team were Glenn, Ron Rivera, and Rex Ryan. What do they all have in mind you may ask? They are all defensive head coaches. Which contrary to popular belief is what I think this team needs as well as a leader of men.
Aaron Glenn fits that mold and is also a former Jets player, so to me this is looking like a great hire. Maybe not a home run, but a solid hire.
As far as coordinators go, Steve Wilks is a name that has been tossed around for the defensive coordinator position, which I have no complaints about. He's a solid DC and would be great for the job.
For offensive coordinator, I'd like the Jets to get Josh McCown, and that'll make more sense in a minute. But he's a fantastic QB coach, and he's been in the running for some head coaching positions. He's the reason for Sam Darnold's success and it's about time he earned a play-calling position. Plus he has a very nice history with the Jets as well.
The other hot play-calling candidate is current Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, as well as the Los Angeles Rams assistant Nick Caley, who is believed to be the frontrunner. All in all, I'd like it to be Josh McCown, but that may not be realistic right now.
Overall
Hired Aaron Glenn as HC
Hire Josh McCown as OC
Hire Steve Wilks as DC
Keep/Trade/Walk
Before free agency begins, there's a period where you can re-sign players before them being able to walk. You can also make trades or just flat-out release players as well. In reviewing some of the Jet's upcoming free agents, here's who staying and who is going. Then after the list, I'll include some reasons why below.
Keep ✅
Irvin Charles (WR)
Kenny Yeboah (TE)
Connor McGovern (OL)
Jamein Sherwood (LB)
Chazz Surratt (LB)
Brandon Echols (CB)
Ashtyn Davis (S)
Tony Adams (S)
Let Walk ❌
Malik Taylor (WR)
Tyler Conklin (TE)
Tyron Smith (OT)
Morgan Moses (OT)
Xavier Newman (OL)
Wes Schweitzer (OL)
Javon Kinlaw (DT)
Leki Fotu (DT)
Solomon Thomas (DL)
D.J. Reed (CB)
Isaiah Oliver (CB)
Chuck Clark (S)
Release ❌
Aaron Rodgers (QB)
Allen Lazard (WR)
Haason Reddick (EDGE)
C.J. Mosley (LB)
Trade 🤝
Davante Adams (WR) and a 5th Round Pick for Romeo Doubs (WR) and a 3rd Round Pick
There's a lot to take in here, but essentially it's a rebuild. Lot's of people on the move, including Aaron Rodgers and company. Sometimes things are just so brutal that you need to just move on, and considering how high expectations with Rodgers were and how all those expectations were not even close to met, it just makes too much sense to move on from him. You also have some veterans such as C.J. Mosley who may be worth cutting all together and building cap space. Also, the same can be said for Reddick, the expectations were so high but even after the contract issue was resolved, he sucked.
Without Rodgers and with the start of a re-build, there's no reason to keep Adams. Trade him back home and give Jordan Love a true WR1. The Jets in return also get Romeo Doubs, who previously grew frustrated with the Packers anyway. He's a big body and adds much needed depth for the Jets.
Free Agency
This leads to the next pillar of the off-season, free agency. Similar to the above, I'll list out all the free agent signings I would like to see, and then I'll include some notes below. What's notable here is the Jets had around $20M in cap space before the changes I made above, and after those changes, the Jets could be closer to $60M.
Free Agent Signings 💸
Sam Darnold (QB)
Darius Slayton (WR)
Johnny Mundt (TE)
Kelvin Beachum (OT)
Levi Onwuzurike (DT)
Emmanuel Mosley (CB)
Sam Darnold being the Jets QB was not at the top of my bingo card. But he's the best free-agent QB available, I think you give him a 2-year deal worth upwards of $30M per year. Reuniting him with Josh McCown could further his success and I always felt like Darnold had some unfinished business in NY.
The Jets also get some much-needed depth at WR and TE. As well as some familiar faces from Glenn's time in Detroit such as Onuzurike and Mosley. This off-season isn't over yet...
NFL Draft
The Patriots currently have 8 draft picks, including 4 on the first two days now after my Davante Adams trade, and a Top 10 overall pick in the first round. Here is what I have the Jets doing with the picks in their first two days.
Draft Picks
Malaki Starks (S) in Round 1
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE) in Round 2
Anthony Belton (OT) in Round 3
Dorian Strong (CB) in Round 3
There are a handful of options in the first round, but the Jets have a gaping hole at Safety, and their secondary is supposed to be one of the best units in the league. Adding here makes them much stronger in that area. The Jets also get a playmaker in the second round who is coming off one of the best collegiate seasons for a TE I've seen. Throw in some depth later on and it's a solid draft.
New-Look Jets
The Jets still have Jordan Travis, who can continue to learn and develop behind Darnold, and now also with Josh McCown as his coach. The WR room isn't something to write home about, but you still have Garrett Wilson as well as solid vet options like Darius Slayton and Romeo Doubs. Plus second-year (WR) Malachi Corely that everyone seems to forget about.
This can be as good as a 10 win or more team, but it could also float around 5-6 wins. Any sign of improvement would be a step up for this team.
Comments