Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #15
by adelfish | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #15
Welcome to the 2020 Red Zone Power Ranking Preview. In this long-running preview, I will be going team at a time, ranking them 32-1, discussing the user, the team, the schedule, etc.
COVERED TEAMS: Lions, Jaguars, Bengals, Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins, Seahawks, Rams, Giants, Cowboys, Saints, Steelers, Panthers, Raiders, Browns, Texans
We have arrived at the final non-playoff team, for those of you who have read all of these, thank you. It has been a fun experience to dive in head first to all of these teams, most of them mediocre, and tell you what this crusty RZ veteran has to say about their chances.
The final non-playoff team is one I had slotted here since this all started **DISCLAIMER** I have not changed the order of teams despite any offseason moves (Cam Newton, Jamal Adams, etc.). Lucky for me, it was only validated this week with a monster trade that really left this team devoid of any talent.
#15 - New York Jets (Moji)
(9-7 Projected Record)
9 wins, for the Jets? Adel, are you crazy?
I can hear it now - and YES! I am crazy, but there is no way that a Mike Mojica run franchise is going to lose more than 10 games to start a cycle, I just don't see it. Moji does not have it in him to tank, and even with the Jamal Adams trade, I still slot him at 2nd in the AFC East.
Why? I think that Moji is a better coach than Glenn, and I think that despite the Dolphins roster being better right now than New York's, I think Moji is going to be better this year. JP could make me look like a complete fool and blow this opportunity, but I think Moji is the last team out of the playoff picture.
I think the Jets actually got better (yes I am sober) after the Adams trade. Acquiring two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick, and a safety replacement for an expensive safety? I consider that a major win, especially when those two years of 1st rounders come from Trent of all people. Boom!
Will the Jets struggle this year? Of course, that's why they are out of the playoff picture, but let's take a deeper look.
One Big Schedule Issue
Moji has a real chance to start 0-8, and I'm not kidding. Every single team he plays the first two months of the season is a difficult one, with a good head coach.
Buffalo 2x, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Denver, Arizona, Los Angeles (Chargers), Kansas City. Brutal, absolutely brutal.
I have him going 2-6 in those matchups, with wins over Buffalo and Arizona, but I give him almost no chance in the other games. With the lack of personell on offense, and no difference makers on defense, wins will be hard to come by against talented teams.
After this opening stretch, the second half is way easier. Games against Miami, New England, the Rams, Seahawks. Definitely more winnable, but the first half will sink this team more than likely.
Reasons for Optimism
The absolute best part of the Jets is the flexibility they have over the next two seasons, and it isn't close. They free up almost $60 million in cap between Seasons 62 and 63, then another $30 million between 63 and 64. If you're keeping score at home, that is almost $100 million in cap room. Granted, some of that will likely go to Sam Darnold, but how much?
The haul they got for Jamal Adams only helps in this - not only do they not have to pay Jamal Adams, but they received two 1st rounders and a 3rd rounder. The Jets now have four 1st round picks in two years, in arguably the two most important drafts of the cycle. Depending on how Trent does in Seattle, those picks could be extremely valuable.
It starts and ends with Sam Darnold. Is he the guy? Is he the future of the franchise? We will find out soon, with 2 more years remaining on his rookie deal. Moji needs to figure out if this is the guy to commit long term money to, or spend one of the four 1sts on a quarterback.
The weapons around Darnold are sketchy, but I do like the skillset of Le'Veon Bell despite the contract, as the Jets owe him $43 million over the next 3 seasons. Bell is a very good player still, but the price tag is a tough pill to swallow.
The receiving core has some upside, especially with the selection of Denzel Mims in the 2nd round, he should win the top receiver spot in camp. I do like Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, but they aren't guys to worry about too much. There are some nice pieces here, but the Jets are still missing a true #1 threat. Don't forget about a coach favorite, Chris Herndon, at tight end who is one of the highest upside players on this roster.
New York went all out in free agency to rebuild the offensive line, and I do like the signings of Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten. Not elite players, but they bring veteran leadership to a terrible line, and then selecting offensive tackle Mehki Becton in the 1st round. Becton was one of the most exciting players in the draft due to his athleticism, and Moji should look to develop him early.
Defensively the player with the most potential is Quinnen Williams, the stud defensive lineman the Jets took a year ago with their 1st. Outside of that, the defensive line still needs a lot of work. I do love some of their linebackers, with C.J. Mosely, Avery Williamson, and the underrated Tarell Basham. There are some pieces here to build on.
I am going to rip the secondary in the next section, but don't let me forget to mention cornerback Brian Poole, who is among the best, if not the best, slot corners in football. He is a really good player.
Reasons for Negativity
Starting on offense, I did mention some upside that the weapons have, but let's talk more about them. The amount of money the Jets are paying for mediocre players is astounding. Quincy Enunwa isn't even healthy, and is making $30 million over the next 3 seasons, while Jamison Crowder is making $10 million per year. Crowder, Perriman, and Enunwa are all guys who will likely be gone in the next season or two, so adding weapons around Mims is going to be a big need.
Even after the improvments made in free agency and the draft on the offensive line, there are still some big holes. The Jets are paying George Fant almost $30 million over the next 3 seasons to play right tackle, a guy who hasn't started. Ouch. Alex Lewis is making almost $20 million over the next 3 years to start at guard, and he has never been a competent player. There are just a lot of strange investments here.
Defensively, I alluded to how this group has almost no difference makers. Williams and Mosely are the only two worth mentioning.
The secondary is a disaster with the departure of Jamal Adams, save for Brian Poole. Pierre Desir, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson, and others will be fighting for snaps. The good thing for the Jets, is their entire cornerback group is on expiring contracts, so they will be able to build this up over the next few seasons.
I actually like Marcus Maye at safety, and the Jets acquired Bradley McDougald in the Adams trade, but once again, are they difference makers?
The Jets are going to have the worst pass rush on paper in the league going into Season 62, and the secondary is definitely bottom ten. I just don't see how this team will be able to compete in it's current state.
Last Word
I love Moji as a head coach, but this is as full a plate as I can remember him having. The good news, is he is armed with assets to rebuild this team in his image. He loves Sam Darnold, and will do everything he can to build the team around his favorite quarterback and develop him.
Can he overcome the extreme deficiencies on defense, and the offensive line? Can he get Darnold some above-average weapons? Finally, can he compete in an AFC that looks really good right now on paper?
In his division, Moji is going to struggle to keep up with the rebuilding Dolphins. The Bills are set for the forseeable future, and I am not burying Glenn completely. Do not think that this will be the Jets division after a few years to lose, but those picks and cap will certainly help.