New York Jets 2017 positional blueprint

The New York Jets set a 2016 blueprint to win now, but at 3-8, winning now is not an option. What should the 2017 blueprint look like?

Fresh off a 10-6 season that saw them sign a dynamic running back, trade for former pro-bowler Ryan Clady to fill the hole left by D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and re-sign the quarterback who broke the franchise record for touchdown passes in a season after a long hold out were just a few reasons why expectations were high.

The New York Jets set a 2016 blueprint to win now. Unfortunately, “now” hasn’t worked out.

Sitting at 3-8 heading into Week 13 of the NFL season, winning now is no longer an option. With the turnover happy Ryan Fitzpatrick, the misuse of Matt Forte, and the season-ending injury to the injury prone Ryan Clady, the blueprint to win now has failed.

The New York Jets still have to play another five games this season, but as far as the playoffs are concerned, the season is over. The problem with a win now blueprint is if it fails, major changes are usually right around the corner.

It time to set the positional blueprint for 2017:

Quarterbacks

No major surprises as far as who will not be a part of the 2017 Jets here. Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a one-year deal this past off-season, and the front office has to be feeling that they gave him one year too many. Fitzpatrick has a less than zero percent chance of re-signing next year and will be searching for a new team come the off-season.

Speaking of zero percent chances of re-signing, Geno Smith has already updated his LinkedIn profile while he recovers from a torn ACL. Geno showcased flashes during his starting stints with the Jets, but was plagued by turnovers, injuries, and a teammate’s fist during his stint with Gang Green.

Although Todd Bowles refuses to let Bryce Petty see if he has the in-game intangibles to be able to lead the Jets going into the future, both he and this year’s second round pick Christian Hackenberg aren’t going anywhere. If one of them will be the starter is still a mystery to all.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but there have been rumors swirling around the Dallas Cowboys trading Tony Romo in the off-season. With Romo only starting 16 games four times in his nine NFL seasons, his durability is a huge concern and will drive his trade value down.

If Romo can be acquired for a fifth round or a fourth round conditional pick, pull the trigger and let Petty learn from a guy who is actually extremely underrated. This scenario allows the Jets to avoid dumping players left and right and going into total rebuild mode. Until he gets hurt again and Petty can take over that is. Of course, this scenario isn’t even an option without restructuring his contract.

Running Backs

The running backs are a little more of a curious case. Both Matt Forte and Bilal Powell are still under contract next season and both carry a plenty of dead cap if cut. Forte, if cut, would result in $6 million in dead money while Powell would account for $4.27 million.

Both those numbers are more than the actual amount each player would earn in 2017, so expect both players back next season. Since both players will be back, following the Cowboys example from a year ago, and drafting the likes of Dalvin Cook, will not be a possibility. Both players dead cap numbers drop significantly in 2018, so if they don’t perform next season, they could be sent packing.

C.J. Spiller is currently the third back on the roster. Spiller is a shell of his former self when he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. Spiller could prove his worth and re-sign, but a better scenario would be drafting a back in the later rounds, and having him develop.

Wide Receivers

One of the lone bright spots of the 2016 season is the emergence of some younger wide receivers. The development of these wide receivers has made a possible decision to ax one or both of the New York Jets primary receivers a distinct possibility.

Brandon Marshall carries no dead money if cut, while Eric Decker carries $3 million in dead money. The Jets cutting ties with B-Marsh in the off-season is a definite possibility, but they should consider a different route.

The emergence of Quincy Enunwa this season has been a pleasant surprise. Enunwa is a clear cut number three receiver when Eric Decker comes back next season. Both Marshall and Decker can help Enunwa become a key piece moving forward. If he continues to develop nicely, there is no reason to believe that moving on from either Marshall (free agent after 2017) or Decker ($1.5 million in dead cap if cut) would be less painful.

Both Robby Anderson and Jalin Marshall are capable of developing into solid slot receivers. With the emergence of Enuwa, Anderson, and Marshall, the New York Jets should have no problem moving on from Devin Smith, who has spent little time on the field and even less time impressing people.

Offensive Line

The offensive line needs to be a huge priority this offseason. Their first round pick should be used to solidify the right side of an the offensive line that needs help. Cutting Breno Giacomini is a strong possibility as he only carries $625k in dead money.

Cam Robinson, an offensive tackle out of Alabama, could be called upon on draft day to help solidify the right side of the offensive line. With a new signal-caller a guarantee in 2017, protecting the new starter should be a priority. Looking for a possible replacement for Brian Winters should also be a priority as he will be a free agent. He could be re-signed to a similar contract to his current contract, but he hasn’t earned the right to be a well-paid starter.

If the Jets restructure the contracts they should or dump the players that don’t agree (David Harris, Darrelle Revis) guard help could be available via free agency with Luke Joeckel, T.J. Lang, and Johnathan Cooper all viable options.

Although not a priority, as he still has gas in the tank, a replacement for Nick Mangold may be drafted in the later rounds, especially if the Jets aren’t able to resign Wesley Johnson, who will be a free agent come the year’s end.

Tight End

The tight end position has been a forgotten position in terms of the passing game. It is no secret to anyone in the league that the New York Jets do not utilize their tight ends. This needs to change.

Without the threat of a tight end coming over the middle, the opposition’s safeties are allowed to sit back and provide assistance to the cornerback on virtually every play. An entire dimension of offense is taken out of the equation by the Jets offensive philosophy, as the Jets have thrown to tight ends way less than any other team in the league for two years running.

The signing of Austin Seferian-Jenkins after he was released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a DUI seemed to be a step in the right direction, but nothing has changed. Seferian-Jenkins has good hands and is able to make plays, and should be a member of the 2017 New York Jets squad. Regardless of who is under center, they would be wise to utilize Seferian-Jenkins more often, especially in the red zone.

As far as personnel changes at tight end in 2017 are concerned, how can one even judge based on the ideology the Jets brass currently have with the position?

Defensive Line

While the Jets defensive line has been solid, some changes are coming to the men in the trenches. With the signing of Muhammad Wilkerson to a massive five-year deal with $53.5 million guaranteed, Big Mo isn’t going anywhere.

While many were happy that Big Mo would be in Green and White for years to come, his contract and the play of Leonard Williams spelled the eventual end of days for another defensive lineman, Sheldon Richardson. Richardson has been quite vocal that when his time comes, he wants to be paid. Between his issues with the law and salary cap issues, that pay day will not come with a New York Jets letterhead.

Richardson is listed on the Jets depth chart as an outside linebacker, but his best work, by far, is done with his hand in the dirt. With Richardson set to receive a giant raise in his rookie salary and almost no chance of re-signing him for the long term, this off-season is the time to lose him with a return.

The Cowboys were hesitant to deal for Richardson at the trade deadline when the Jets were asking for a first-round pick, but if they make a playoff run and fall short of a championship, it may be more realistic to receive that kind of compensation for a team that is solid on offense for years to come.

Steve McLendon has done a fine job in the middle and is under contract through 2018. With rookies Lawrence Thomas, Julien Obioha and Brandin Bryant all part of the roster going forward, even with the trade of Sheldon Richardson, the defensive line should be fine come 2017.

Linebackers

An area of major concern going into 2016 still needs to be addressed in 2017. The New York Jets took inside linebacker Darron Lee last year with their number one pick, and he has been improving as the season moves forward, proving he will be one of the Jets starting inside linebackers, and a solid one for the next few years.

The other starting inside linebacker is a huge question mark. Although David Harris has been fantastic over the course of his Jets career, it is time for Harris to either take a pay cut or get served his walking papers as he has no dead money associated with him going into 2017. Harris has seen a decline in the number of snap he plays in each of last three years. Although he still holds value, especially with his leadership, Harris is no longer an every down player and shouldn’t be paid like one.

If Harris does indeed agree to a pay cut to remain with the Green and White, re-signing Bruce Carter and rotating him with Harris at the other inside linebacker position could prove sufficient until 2018, when the Jets could once again look towards the draft to fill the ILB position. If not and they cut him, there a plenty of free agent options that could improve the position for the $6.5 million that is due to Harris next season.

Rolling with this blueprint, using the pick received in the Sheldon Richardson trade should be used to secure an outside linebacker. Tim Williams out of Alabama, Marquis Haynes of Ole Miss and Jarrad Davis out of Florida would be fine choices to go on the outside with the developing Jordan Jenkins, who is also coming along nicely.

Secondary

One of the major disappointments of 2016, the secondary should be in for some changes come 2017. One of the biggest fall outs this season has been courtesy of Darrelle Revis. The highest paid New York Jet and cornerback in the league has not lived up to the financial aspects of his contract. Much like he treated the Jets in the past, they should tell him either take a pay cut, or your time with the Jets has come to an end, despite the $6 million in dead cap space he carries into 2017.

Marcus Williams has shown the ability to be a solid corner, but needs more development to be considered a CB1 going against the top receivers in the game. He is also an impending free agent, and a raise is imminent. While Buster Skrine has been the CB2 this season, but is best suited to play against the slot receivers. Whether Revis stays with the team or not, his decline has shown that he is no longer able to be a top corner as well.

Cornerback help could come from free agency with the money the team should save on a pay cut or cut from Revis. Prince Amukamara could be a viable option on a short-term deal until the Jets find their number cornerback either through the draft or development of one of the players already on the roster.

If Revis does agree to a pay cut, the Jets should see if they could transition him to safety. With Marcus Gilchrist not exactly turning heads and Calvin Pryor sometimes looking like he can control his position and sometimes looking completely lost, safety could use a bit of help. Essentially, 2017 could be treated like an audition for which two guys could be on the roster in 2018 as Pryor will be a free agent and Gilchrist carries a low dead cap value.

Special Teams

With the troubles that have fallen upon the New York Jets in 2016, special teams may be one that is overlooked. Nick Folk is the sixth highest paid kicker in the league this season, but isn’t performing up to his contract. Folk has been the only kicker for the Jets this season that rank 15th in field goal percentage and 25th in extra point percentage.

Due to a small raise next year and responsible for a $3.6 million cap hit, Folk is another pay cut candidate. Regardless of if he agrees to a pay cut or not, some unemployed and rookie kickers should be brought in during the offseason to provide a competition at the place kicker position.

Lac Edwards, the punter, hasn’t been much better. The Jets rank 30th in net punting yards and tied for 22nd in punts downed inside the 20. Lac is a rookie and could improve, but competition needs to be brought in during the offseason.

Jalin Marshall should continue to develop as a returner, and no outside help should be needed to return kicks.