Positions No. 12 Through 9

No. 12: Center

  • NFL Ranking: No. 8

Wesley Johnson was a disaster a year ago. It was also front and center bad thanks to Nick Mangold’s absence.

The oft-injured Spencer Long comes in but he, alone, doesn’t help matters until he proves it. The arrival of depth-man Travis Swanson helps this ranking big-time. Competition is critical along the offensive line. It’s the greatest way to develop the big nasties up front.

No. 11: Offensive Guard

  • NFL Ranking: No. 12

Heading into 2017, Jets fandom thought guard was a stellar position with James Carpenter and Brian Winters holding it down. It turned out as false.

Carpenter dipped drastically while Winters played through a severe injury. Many are expecting an uptick this season due to both of those experiences, but not so fast. Who’s to say Winters doesn’t get hurt again and Carpenter’s decline has only just begun as he approaches 30 years of age?

In any event, the guard spot—as important as it is along the O-line (all five spots work as one single unit)—it’s the least important of the three in terms of NFL relevance in today’s game.

No. 10: Running Back

  • NFL Ranking: No. 13

The debate rages on. Just how devalued is the running back spot in today’s game?

What the extremists on both sides usually fail to see is that there’s a ton of gray area here. Nobody can truly argue the position hasn’t declined. Based purely on the fact there are no more workhorses who touch the ball 30 times a game and three and sometimes four backs are rotated, naturally, the spot has devalued.

Either way, skill is still needed at the spot. The O-line must be set up for rushing success first.

No. 9: Fullback

  • NFL Ranking: No. 16

Coming in dead last in the NFL in positional importance is the fullback and for one reason only: it’s a dead position.

In fact, the tight end/fullback position could easily have been combined on this list. It probably should have been.

In terms of the Jets point of view, Dimitri Flowers looks to be one hell of an undrafted free agent steal up to this point.

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Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com