Positions No. 16 Through 13
No. 16: EDGE Pass Rusher (3-4 OLB)
- NFL Ranking: No. 2
The very first one on the list is bad, horrible news. What the New York Jets currently employ at the EDGE is nothing short of an abomination and, in reality, is probably the worst collection of one-on-one edge rushers in the NFL.
This is terrible for the team due to the fact the position is so critical in today’s game.
The only possible way to stop these accurate and evil-genius quarterbacks from three-step-dropping their way down the field via rub patterns and bubble screens is if the conventional pass rush is up to snuff.
With Jordan Jenkins, Lorenzo Mauldin, David Bass, Josh Martin and Dylan Donahue as the top guys, the Jets are about six solid pass rushers shy of the Philadelphia Eagles.
No. 15: Offensive Tackle
- NFL Ranking: No. 3
Similarly to the EDGE spot, New York’s stature at offensive tackle is putrid. And again, look at the NFL ranking (3).
Employing a possible future quarterback isn’t enough. Making sure he’s upright and feeling good about his pocket is a must.
Kelvin Beachum is near the bottom of the league in terms of starting blindside tackles.
The Jacksonville Jaguars ranked 22nd in the league in rushing with Beachum in 2016. The very season Beachum leaves, Tom Coughlin’s boys skyrocket to No. 1 in the league in rushing with rookie Cam Robinson in his stead. (And no, it wasn’t all Leonard Fournette’s doing as he managed just over 1,000 yards on the ground in total.)
Brandon Shell offers up a solid spot on the right side, but that’s the far lesser of the two. Oh yeah, there’s no depth either—no competition for either guy come August.
No. 14: Tight End
- NFL Ranking: No. 10
Matchups on the offensive side of the ball and the dynamic ability of today’s tight ends have led to an epidemic of one specific formation accepting the new crown as the base formation. We’re talking about the 11 personnel (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB).
Back in the day, five wide receiver sets were often used. Today, offenses simply use the 11 personnel to spread the defense out in uncomfortable spots.
The Jets haven’t been able to use this strategy as they haven’t possessed a legit tight end in quite some time. Young Chris Herndon will have to step up to make that happen in 2018.
No. 13: Kicker
- NFL Ranking: No. 14
Oh, don’t get us wrong; the kicker is critical.
After 60 minutes of blood and guts football, it often comes down to the guy who refuses to take the “foot out of football.”
Mike Maccagnan hasn’t really shown excitement for the position during his tenure and that’s bled over into this offseason with the acquisition of Cairo Santos.
