New guy is not enough for total Gang overhaul
The Jets have spent the past three months working on their 2018 roster. Though they will still tinker with the roster between now and their Sept. 10 opener against the Lions, the heavy lifting is done.
Did the Jets improve in free agency and the draft? Let’s take a closer look at the roster and see how Mike Maccagnan and Co. fared.
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Josh McCown
Key Reserves: Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater and Christian Hackenberg
There is always a quarterback storyline with the Jets. This year’s will be: How soon does Darnold start? McCown is the starter entering training camp, but the Jets have been clear that Darnold can win the job. Bridgewater’s health is a question that needs to be answered. The Jets could dangle him as trade bait if he is healthy.
Upgrade? Yes. Though McCown might not be able to duplicate his 2017 success, this is a better overall quarterback room with Darnold and Bridgewater.
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Isaiah Crowell Key Reserves: Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, Lawrence Thomas (fullback)
The Jets signed Crowell to a threeyear, $12 million deal in free agency. He and Powell likely will split reps similar to how Powell and Matt Forte did over the past two years.
Upgrade? Yes. Crowell is much more durable than Forte.
WIDE RECEIVER
Starters: Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse and Quincy Enunwa
Key Reserves: Terrelle Pryor, Chad Hansen and ArDarius Stewart
The key for this group will be the return of Enunwa, who missed all of last season with a neck injury. If he can regain the form he showed in 2016 (58 catches, 857 yards, four touchdowns), the offense will get a boost.
Upgrade? No*. This is basically the same group as last year plus Pryor, who is not a sure thing. The asterisk comes with Enunwa, who is not a new addition, but whose return will be big for the Jets.
TIGHT END
Starter: Jordan Leggett Key Reserves: Neal Sterling, Eric Tomlinson and Chris Herndon The Jets let Austin Seferian-Jenkins walk as a free agent because they are confident in Leggett, Sterling and Tomlinson. It is a gamble that could cost them. Upgrade? No. This is a really inexperienced group.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Kelvin Beachum, James Carpenter, Spencer Long, Brian Winters and Brandon Shell Key Reserves: Travis Swanson, Dakota Dozier, Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana The only change from last year is at center, where Long will replace Wes Johnson. Winters should also improve after playing injured last year. Upgrade? Yes. But the Jets ignored the position in the draft for the second straight year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Leonard Williams, Steve McLendon and Henry Anderson
Key Reserves: Mike Pennel, Nathan Shepherd, Xavier Cooper and Folorunso Fatukasi
A draft-day trade brought Anderson over from the Colts. The Jets feel like they have more depth here, even if their starters are not as strong as some of the defensive lines of recent years.
Upgrade? No. The Jets will miss Muhammad Wilkerson on the field.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Starters: Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin Key Reserves: David Bass, Lorenzo Mauldin and Dylan Donahue The biggest hole on the Jets’ roster remains outside linebacker. They need someone to emerge to give them an outside rush. Upgrade? No. The Jets stayed status quo here.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Starters: Darron Lee and Avery Williamson Key Reserves: Kevin Minter and Neville Hewitt
Williamson is a younger, cheaper version of Demario Davis, who left for the Saints. Lee improved last year from his rookie season and now must make another leap forward.
Upgrade? No. Williamson is an improvement over Davis in terms of roster management, but I think it is a push on the field.
CORNERBACK
Starters: Trumaine Johnson, Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine Key Reserves: Darryl Roberts, Juston Burris and Rashard Robinson Maccagnan went out and got Todd Bowles a No. 1 cornerback in Johnson. The $72.5 million man will have a lot of pressure on him to live up to that big contract. Upgrade? Yes. Johnson and Claiborne give the Jets two good cornerbacks.
SAFETY
Starters: Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye Key Reserves: Terrence Brooks and Rontez Miles
The Jets can’t afford a sophomore slump from Adams or Maye.
Upgrade? No. However, Adams and Maye should improve in their second seasons.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jets signed Cairo Santos to replace Chandler Catanzaro at kicker, which may be a downgrade. They are still searching for kick and punt returners with a bunch of players battling for those jobs this summer.
Upgrade? No. Catanzaro was an underrated loss this offseason.