Jets Offseason Needs NFL 2022: Free Agency And Draft Preview
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS…suck. The Jets still STINK. But, that was to be expected. The Jets are still a few years from actually doing anything, especially in their division with the Bills being solid and the Patriots looking scary again with Mac Jones. Tua and the Dolphins is nothing to sleep on either if they can add some actual talent. So, it’s best to take this ride nice and slow and do a lot of the right things so they can have a chance one day. Here are the Jets offseason needs for 2022.
Jets Free Agency
For the Jets offseason needs in free agency, the Jets have $50+ million to play with. A great starting point. With Marcus Maye and Lamarcus Joyner possibly leaving in free agency. So, this is a good year to need some secondary help. There’s plenty of talent to try to find that help. The Jets can also try to fulfill their need for a DE in free agency as they have 3 expiring DEs. The market is rich in that position too. While I don’t necessarily consider TE a priority, if the Jets were going to get one, they might want to get one in free agency. They’ll be losing some offensive lineman to free agency, drafting a few might be better than throwing money at unworthy players. If they can also retain Jamison Crowder for cheap on their roster, that might be a decent decision. The Jets have 4 WRs on expiring contracts, so they might have to look in free agency for some. There’s not a lot of WR1s, but they will have some WR2s and WR3s they could get. But their focal point for this free agency is to be part of that rich DE and secondary pool and get some talent there. This will help rebuild the defense.
Jets Draft
Looking to the draft for the Jets offseason needs, the Jets are looking at the 4th overall selection, as well as 4 early picks with 2 in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd round (4, 10, 35, 38). They would love to have Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson drop to them. But the odds of that happening is slim to none. I do believe that these guys will be the first 2 off the board, so the Jets are probably looking elsewhere. At 4, I like Ikem Ekwonu for the Jets here. I am a big believer in protecting your young QBs. Ikem Ekwonu would have an immediate impact on the Jets. However, I can also respect getting the best RT in the draft with Evan Neal. Either or would be beneficial.
They also have Seattle’s pick, which is looking like a steal as it is the 10th pick. This would be a great time to nab Derek Stingley Jr. if he hasn’t been picked. For me, he should be off the board. I wouldn’t hate the idea of possibly doubling up on tackles with Charles Cross or Nicholas Petit-Frere if the Jets’ first pick is Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal. That handles each tackle with promising rookies. They could stick with OL and take Kenyon Green here as well as he is the best guard in the draft. I would recommend that if they got a LT but Evan Neal was not available for RT. and of course, if he’s available. However, if the Jets decide not to go that route, they can go CB here. Andrew Booth Jr. might be the best CB on the board if Stingley Jr. isn’t here. George Karlaftis at EDGE would be great. Or the Jets can get one of the best LB off the board and get Nakobe Dean or Devin Lloyd here. That 2nd first-round pick is interesting, it’s whoever the Jets really value the most here.
In the 2nd round, which they’ll have 35 and 38, I’d like for the Jets to go defense here, if they haven’t already, or if they choose not to trade down. If they go with the idea of two tackles, CB has to be the move here. Try to nab one of the better CBs in the draft if they fall to the 2nd round to you. That might include Trent McDuffie or Ahmad Gardner. But if not, Roger McCreary, Derion Kendrick might have to be the pick. At S, which would be good if they lose Maye and Joyner, I like Daxton Hill or Jordan Battle here. I seriously doubt at LB that either Devin Lloyd or Nakobe Dean drops this far, but the tier 2 LBs might be solid here. Players like Christian Harris, Henry To’o To’o, Darrian Beavers, or Brandon Smith. Getting 1 player from one of these positions will fill a hole on two levels of the defense. Grabbing two defensive players in the 2nd after 2 offensive players in the 1st could be very beneficial. I believe there is more offensive talent in the 1st round and more defensive talent in the 2nd.
In the 3rd round, the Jets have the 69th pick (nice). it would be a good time to double up on CB, S, or LB, OR go WR here. Grabbing another CB, S, or LB would help surely, but grabbing a flashy WR in a deeper WR class to help your new (and struggling) QB in Zach Wilson might be ideal too. There are two guys that I think will be there in the 3rd that they can’t go wrong with. Justyn Ross might drop because of his injury but he’s stupid talented, if you’re willing to risk it, he’s awesome here. The other WR I like is Calvin Austin III. The former track guy can ball. He’s got good hands and blazing speed. He can help Zach Wilson quickly and stretch the defense to open up other WRs.
The Jets have a long way to go and a lot of problems to fix. It won’t be fixed in one off-season but over a series of good off-seasons of a stable organization. They need to stay the course and keep rebuilding. They might need 3 years before they can really contend again and hopefully for Zach Wilson to progress. Either way, this off-season could be a good start for them to turn it around now. You have to help Zach Wilson here though. It’s hard for rookie QBs to get comfortable in the NFL. It’s even worse if you don’t have a line or weapons for him. The Jets have been labeled a dysfunctional organization that wastes talent. If the Jets want to fight that stigma they must make correct moves and at least have some progress. Why not start now by addressing these Jets’ offseason needs? New Year, New York, New Jets?
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