What Happened in 2020
Not a lot of things went right for the New York Jets in 2020. The season got off to a dramatic start when rumors starting swirling that star RB Le,Veon Bell wanted out of the organization. After not being able to find a trade partner, the Jets had to cut Bell and eat a large salary cap hit. Things just got worse from their as the team struggled week after week before culminating in a week 12 matchup against the Raiders. The team looked poised to win for the first time all season until last second hail mary pass by Derrick Carr beat the team as time expired. This game led to the team relieving Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams from his job and eventually cost Head Coach Adam Gase his position. The regression of 3rd year quarterback Sam Darnold was eye-opening for some and now have the organization now looking for a new future under center. The team finished 2-14 and are now in full rebuild mode with the 2nd pick in the upcoming draft.
Team Needs
1. Quarterback
Obviously the Jets need a quarterback and I'm not necessarily saying that Sam Darnold isn't the guy, but the Jets need to decide now if they want him or they're going to look elsewhere.
2. Secondary
After trading away all-pro safety Jamaal Adams last season, the secondary of the Jets has been burned seemingly every single week. The team will also potentially be losing CB Brian Poole and safeties Bradley McDougald and Marcus Maye to free agency. Luckily, this years draft does look to have a few great cornerback prospects in the early rounds.
3. Offensive Line
For a franchise quarterback to be successful, he needs to be protected and what the Jets have right now on the offensive line isn't going to cut it. The two young tackles seems to be progressing nicely, but the interior line leaves a lot to be desired.
4. Wide Receiver
The next thing a quarterback needs after a strong offensive line are some weapons to throw the ball too. Last seasons #2 target Breshad Perriman will most likely be lost in free agency and no offense but Jamison Crowder is not a #1 receiver. This team needs some weapons, and right now they have none.
Top 5 Free Agent Targets
1. G Brandon Scherff
2. CB Patrick Peterson
3. DE Matt Judon
4. LB Jayon Brown
5. CB Richard Sherman
The Future
The future of the Jets comes down to more than just the quarterback position. Yes, they need a quarterback badly, but they are years away from contending for a playoff position with the current roster. The team and coaching staff has not surrounded Sam Darnold with the weapons or the coaching to be successful like the other quarterbacks from Darnolds draft. I do like the signing of Robert Salah as the franchises next head coach on the field, but I worry about his draft decision making and experience. The team needs to draft well this year or they will continue to find themselves at the basement off the league for years to come no matter who takes the snap from center.
2021 Prediction
With Deshaun Watson: 5-11 4th in AFC East
Without Deshaun Watson 2-14 4th in AFC East