New York Jets (Last Year: 7-10)
Season Summary:
The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations heading into 2023, but those quickly vanished on the fourth offensive snap of the season opener when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. Rodgers is likely to return next year with potentially better injury luck.
2024 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Mike Williams, OT Tyron Smith, OT Morgan Moses, G John Simpson, DE Haason Reddick, DT Javon Kinlaw, DT Leki Fotu, CB Isaiah Oliver.
Draft Picks:
OT Olu Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley, RB Braelon Allen. Jets Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
TE C.J. Uzomah, OT Duane Brown, OT Billy Turner, G Laken Tomlinson, C Connor McGovern, DE Carl Lawson, DE Bryce Huff, DT Quinton Jefferson, S Jordan Whitehead.
2024 New York Jets Offense:
The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations last year, but their hopes and dreams came crumbling down after just four offensive plays. That’s how long Aaron Rodgers lasted in his first season in New York. The injured Rodgers gave way to Zach Wilson, who pulled a couple of upsets, but was ultimately able to win just seven games.
Rodgers will be back, but he’ll turn 41 during the 2024 season. He hasn’t really played in two years, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be effective. It also will be determined if he has an adequate supporting cast. The Jets had a golden opportunity to select Brock Bowers at No. 11 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but passed on him in favor of the third offensive tackle in the class. Bowers would have been a fantastic mismatch weapon for Rodgers.
It’s fair to wonder if the Jets will have any dependable threats outside of the dynamic Garrett Wilson. The Jets signed Mike Williams, but he’s a highly injury-prone player coming off a torn ACL, so there isn’t much expected from him this season. The Jets used a third-round pick on Malachi Corley, who has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel. However, Corley is an inexperienced and raw player, so it’s not like he’ll be setting the league ablaze immediately. There’s also Allen Lazard, who flopped miserably last year. Rodgers and Lazard have some chemistry together from their Green Bay days, so it’s not inconceivable to think that Lazard could be a viable option in the passing game.
The Jets’ top receiving weapon outside of Wilson resides in the backfield. That would be Breece Hall, who showed off Marshall Faulk-type receiving ability down the stretch this past season. Hall is an exceptional back who can go the distance anytime he touches the ball, so it’s important for him to remain healthy, especially after tearing is ACL in 2022.
Speaking of injuries, the Jets suffered many of them on the offensive line. There could be more to come in the wake of the Tyron Smith signing. Smith, formerly of Dallas, is one of the most athletic left tackles in the NFL, but he just can’t stay on the football field. This is why the Jets used the No. 11 pick on Olu Fashanu. While Fashanu isn’t expected to start immediately – Morgan Moses will be on the right side – he offers an incredible insurance policy for the oft-injured Smith.
Another frequently injured blocker is Alijah Vera-Tucker. It’s a shame for Vera-Tucker, as he’s very talented and versatile enough to play any position up front, including left tackle. He’s hurt all the time and can’t really be trusted. He’ll begin the season in the interior starting line with John Simpson and Joe Tippman. Simpson was signed over from Baltimore, where he did not perform on a high level last year, unlike Moses. Tippman, chosen in the second round a year ago, had a mediocre rookie campaign, but is capable of making a big leap in his second season.
2024 New York Jets Defense:
The Jets were able to go 7-10 last year despite having Aaron Rodgers for only four snaps. Zach Wilson didn’t account for these victories. It was the defense that led the way. New York finished third in yards allowed to the opposition.
New York was much better against the pass than the run. One of the primary reasons for this was the play of elite cornerback Sauce Gardner. Despite just being in his second year, Gardner established himself as arguably the best cornerback in the NFL. The Jets were also able to get great play out of the other starter on the outside, D.J. Reed. And if that wasn’t enough, Michael Carter II was one of the better nickel corners in the league.
Safety play wasn’t nearly as good, though that could be by default. The primary issue was that Chuck Clark suffered a torn ACL prior to the season. Clark is expected to return as a starter this season next to Tony Adams, who had a mediocre 2023 campaign.
In addition to the terrific cornerbacks, the Jets were phenomenal at stopping aerial attacks because of the pass rush and the linebacker play. They were fourth in pressure rate, as Quinnen Williams was able to dominate the trenches, while a pair of dynamic edge rushers created havoc for quarterbacks on the outside. Williams will start in the interior next to newly signed Javon Kinlaw or Leki Fotu. Kinlaw is a former first-round pick who has yet to do much in the NFL. Fotu is a run stuffer who was needed to improve the Jets’ mediocre standing versus the rush.
Moving to the edge rushers, Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson combined for 17.5 sacks. Huff was traded to the Eagles, but the Jets were able to acquire Haason Reddick in exchange. Reddick is older than Huff, but he’s going to be an upgrade in the short term. For a team going all in to win the Super Bowl, the swap made sense for the Jets.
As for the aforementioned linebacker play, C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams will reprise their roles as the two primary defenders at the position. Both had Pro Bowl-caliber seasons in 2023. There’s some concern with Mosely turning 32, but Williams is in the prime of his career and should continue to perform at an extremely high level.
2024 New York Jets Schedule and Intangibles:
Greg Zuerlein was one of the best kickers in the NFL last year He hit 35-of-38 attempts, including 5-of-6 from 50-plus.
Punter Thomas Morstead was in the middle of the pack in net average, but did a great job of pinning opponents inside the 20.
The Jets have a third-place schedule, and they have an opportunity to get off to a hot start. Beginning in Week 2, they battle the Titans, Patriots, Broncos, and Vikings. It’s a mixed slate after that.
2024 New York Jets Rookies:
Go here for the Jets Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2024 New York Jets Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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Projection: 11-6 (Tied 1st in AFC East)
2023 Projection: 12-5. 2023 Actual Result: 7-10.
2022 Projection: 3-14. 2022 Actual Result: 7-10.
2021 Projection: 4-13. 2021 Actual Result: 4-13.
2020 Projection: 3-13. 2020 Actual Result: 2-14.
2019 Projection: 10-6. 2019 Actual Result: 7-9.
2018 Projection: 5-11. 2018 Actual Result: 4-12.
2017 Projection: 2-14. 2017 Actual Result: 5-11.
2016 Projection: 6-10. 2016 Actual Result: 5-11.
NFL Draft Team Grade:
C GradeGoals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Jets have made it known that they are all in for this and perhaps next year with Aaron Rodgers. They need to continue to give Rodgers weapons and protection. They could also explore trading down because they don’t have a second-round pick.
2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Jets traded down from No. 10, but they moved just one spot. They also gave Rodgers protection, but did so with their initial selection, eschewing the play-making option instead. New York would have been better served selecting Brock Bowers because it’s a guarantee that he would contribute on Day 1. Olu Fashanu, conversely, may not take the field as a rookie. Granted, he provides some great insurance for the oft-injured Tyron Smith, but if Smith remains on the field, Fashanu will be rotting on the bench. That’s not ideal for a team that has an all-in approach.
The Jets rebounded with the Malachi Corley pick in the third round, but they squandered some picks after that. They chose two running backs for some reason, and they used a pick on a CFL cornerback when selecting another receiver would have been more prudent. Amazingly, the Jets came away with just one offensive lineman and one receiver from this entire draft class, which seems like a major blunder.
I can’t grade the Jets’ 2024 class very favorably. I like some of the choices they made, but they did not accomplish their goal of really strengthening Rodgers’ supporting cast. It may improve a bit, but not nearly enough to contend in the challenging AFC.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
11. Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State – C Grade
I don’t hate this pick, but it’s underwhelming because the Jets still don’t have any downfield play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson. Also, the Jets signed Tyron Smith, so will Olu Fashanu even be able to get onto the field as a rookie? Given that the Jets are all-in to win now, that’s an important question. This is a good pick for the long haul, but the Jets needed an impact player for 2024.
65. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky – A Grade
The Jets had to draft a receiver, especially after relinquishing resources after trading up. They didn’t have any downfield play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson, but now they potentially do with Malachi Corley, a second-round prospect who has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel.
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134. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin – B Grade
The Jets needed a backup running back, given that Breece Hall isn’t too far removed from his torn ACL. Braelon Allen should complement Hall well, as Allen is a huge back who can also catch passes well.
171. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State – B Grade
The Jets traded Zach Wilson, so they needed to find a long-term answer after Aaron Rodgers retires. Jordan Travis is coming off a horrible lower-leg injury, but it’s not like he’s going to have to play any time soon, so the Jets will be able to develop him.
173. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State – C- Grade
Another running back doesn’t make much sense, especially if it’s not a great value. Isaiah Davis handled a big workload at South Dakota State, but the Jets should have been drafting wide receivers and tight ends for Aaron Rodgers.
176. Qwant’tez Stiggers, CB, Canada – B- Grade
Qwant’tez Stiggers made a name for himself on the top-30 visit circuit. He was seen as a fifth-round prospect, so he makes sense here – except for the fact that the Jets have a stacked defense and a limited offense that is starving for play-makers.
257. Jaylen Key, S, Alabama – B Grade
Not a bad Mr. Irrelevant pick. Jaylen Key is a big safety, but is a bit slow. Still, he was projected as a seventh-round pick, so he made sense as the final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Season Summary:
The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations heading into 2023, but those quickly vanished on the fourth offensive snap of the season opener when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. Rodgers is likely to return next year with potentially better injury luck.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Three Offensive Linemen: The Jets need to retool their offensive line. Alijah Vera-Tucker is a stud, and Joe Tippmann has potential, but that’s about it. Three upgrades are needed. Luckily for the Jets, the 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with talented linemen. Traded for Morgan Moses; signed Tyron Smith and John Simpson
- Two Wide Receivers: Allen Lazard was a huge bust. The Jets have nothing at receiver outside of Garrett Wilson. Signed Mike Williams
- Tight End: Tyler Conklin is as mediocre as it gets at tight end. A better intermediate weapon is needed.
- Defensive Tackle: New York was weak to the run last year, so the team should acquire a run-stuffer. Signed Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw
- Quarterback: The Jets need to develop a quarterback to play once Aaron Rodgers retires. Zach Wilson doesn’t appear to be the answer. Signed Tyrod Taylor
- Running Back: Better depth is needed behind Breece Hall.
- Safety: Jordan Whitehead is an impending free agent, so he’ll need to be re-signed or replaced.
- Kicker: Greg Zuerlein is due to hit free agency as well. Re-signed Greg Zuerlein
- Punter: Thomas Morstead is also headed for free agency. Re-signed Thomas Morstead
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2024 NFL Free Agent Signings:
New York Jets Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Rumors
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