The 2022 season is approaching, so the editorial staff of TDActu offers you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
It’s hard to use a term other than ” disappointing “ to qualify for New York’s 2021 season. While a certain hype surrounded their new coach, Robert Saleh, and their new pitcher, Zach Wilson, the bellows quickly fell. The advantage for 2022 is that we don’t expect much, at least they won’t disappoint. They might even surprise.
The general manager, Joe Douglas, and the leaders operated an intelligent recruitment, coupled with a promising draft thanks to which the Jets might finally take off. For this, Zach Wilson will have to pass a course. Otherwise, this team will once more remain pinned down.
Last season: 4-13, no playoffs
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: C.J. Uzomah (TE), Solomon Thomas (DE), Kwon Alexander (LB), Laken Tomlinson (G), D.J. Reed (CB), Jordan Whitehead (S), Tyler Conklin (TE), Greg Zuerlein (K), Vinny Curry (DE)…
Re-signatures : Braxton Berrios (WR), Lamarcus Joyner (S), Joe Flacco (QB), Tevin Coleman (RB), Dan Feeney (OL), Nathan Shepherd (DL), Eddy Pineiro (K)…
Draft : Sauce Gardner (CB), Garrett Wilson (WR), Jermaine Johnson II (DE), Breece Hall (RB), Jeremy Ruckert (TE), Max Mitchell (OT), Michael Clemons (DE).
Notable losses: Jamison Crowder (WR), Ryan Griffin (TE), Marcus Maye (S), Morgan Moses (OT), Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (G), Jarrad Davis (LB)…
Unlike in recent years, the Jets haven’t made too many waves during free agency. The leaders targeted specific profiles to add talent to a roster that was sorely lacking. On paper, these decisions seem interesting. The signings of CJ Uzomah (TE) or Jordan Whitehead (S) for example allow to add two players who have the experience of big matches. Solomon Thomas (DE), Laken Tomlinson (G) or DJ Reed (CB) come to fill gaps in their respective positions.
A few weeks later, it was above all the draft that attracted attention. New York was the only team to pick 4 times in the top 40 this season. The Jets first picked up Sauce Gardner in 4th before picking Garrett Wilson in 10th. Jermaine Johnson (26th) and Breece Hall (36th) complete a 2022 vintage which might produce (at least) four potential starters in the first week.
In the direction of the departures, the Jets can mourn the signing Marcus Maye in New Orleans. The safety was one of the only defensive satisfactions of last season. For the rest (Jamison Crowder, Ryan Griffin, Morgan Moses…), nothing insurmountable for the franchise.
The strong points)
Inevitably, when you come out of a season with only four wins, the strengths are not legion. There are, however, a few areas on which Robert Saleh can rely. In attack first, the coach has some certainties on the side of the offensive line. Already last year, this unit was among the best in the league. PFF even ranked her 11th at the end of the season. A line that will also see the return of Mekhi Becton. The left tackle who impressed as a rookie in 2020 before being seriously injured in the first game last year.
The Jets also went to get Laken Tomlinson from the 49ers to further solidify the interior of this line. He will form a solid pair of guards with Alija Vera-Tucker. With Connor McGovern at center and George Fant at left tackle, the front five should once once more be an asset this season in New York.
On the other side of the ball, it’s more complicated to find a real point of satisfaction, but if we project ourselves a little, the defensive backfield should be of high quality this season. Already because the number 4 of the draft, Sauce Gardner should have an immediate impact at the cornerback position. He should also be well supplemented on the other side of the field by DJ Reed, who arrived from Seattle. Finally, there will be a brand new pair of safety with Jordan Whitehead, champion with Tampa in 2020 and official replacement for Marcus Maye, as well as Lamarcus Joyner, already present last year, but who had only played a bit of meeting before getting injured for the season.
For the first time in years, the Jets should display a strong defensive backfield.
The weak spots)
Robert Saleh arrived in New York as a defensive coach. It is clear that this has not been transcribed on the ground. It’s simple, in 2021, the Jets had the worst defense in the league in terms of yards allowed (397.6 / game) and points conceded (29.6 / game). As we said, the defensive backfield should improve, but for the rest of the lines, the concern remains. Starting with the linebackers. In the middle of the defense, the hole is gaping and apart from Kwon Alexander, nothing has been done to improve the group. Certainly CJ Mosley should return from injury, but the former Baltimore player has not walked the lawns since 2019. It is difficult to count on him to cure all the ills of this linebacker group.
In front of them, the defensive line is not much better. Carl Lawson and Jermain Johnson should bring quality to the exteriors (see below), but inside of it players don’t perform as they should. Quinnen Williams is not coming out of the best season of his career and Sheldon Rankins has still not managed to win. The pass defense should improve, but on the run, the Jets remain weak at the moment.
On the other side of the ball precisely, the race does not bring many guarantees either. Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman or even Ty Johnson are good runners, but none of them have the talent to carry this attack on the ground. Not sure that the arrival of Breece Hall changes many things in this area. Even if the Jets have high expectations of the former Iowa State runner, it’s hard to imagine him becoming a number 1 runner in his first season.
X factor: the aerial game
This is the big question of the season in New York: will Zach Wilson progress? Not everything is to be thrown away in the pitcher’s rookie season, but the Jets are expecting a lot from whoever is to be their franchise quarterback for the next few years. After a complicated season therefore, he must show the best. Can he? His physical qualities and his arm are undeniable assets, but everything still seems to be going too fast for him. This new season should allow him to begin to meet the expectations placed on him.
However, he is not the only one to have to go up a notch. His targets too. As we said, Zach Wilson’s protection is pretty good, it’s already half the job. But if the Jets want their quarterback to be more confident, his receivers need to turn a corner. Garrett Wilson, the rookie chosen in 10th position, will be one of the attractions of this attack.
Elijah Moore will have to confirm the great promises shown in 2021, while Corey Davis will be keen to make up for his disappointing season. Additions via free agency (CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin) or the draft (Breece Hall, the running back at ease in the aerial game) will also have an important role in a sector that absolutely must progress.
Player to watch: Carl Lawson
He was one of the stars of New York recruiting last season. In 2021, Carl Lawson had chosen to come to the Jets, in return for a big check. Sadly, the former Bengal has yet to play a single snap in that green outfit. Injured in the Achilles tendon during training camp, he should take his first steps a year late. We will precisely monitor his presence on this defensive line. Lawson must bring the explosiveness in an area in great difficulty with the Jets: the pass-rush.
Last year, New York was one of the worst teams when it came to putting pressure on the quarterback. If Carl Lawson returns to his best, that might change drastically for Robert Saleh’s men. The real beginnings of the defensive end on this defensive line might also have a side effect: freeing up space for Jermaine Johnson. The pass-rushing rookie might form an interesting duo with Lawson. The two men might do damage together.
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In summary
The beginnings of the Saleh-Wilson project did not reassure. This year, the decisions taken during the off-season give fans some hope. The leaders gave the coach and the quarterbacks the means to improve.
New York is still far from having the necessary talent of a playoff team, but to do better than 2021 would already be a small victory. The potential is there anyway.