The New York Jets beat the Baltimore Ravens 24-16 in Week Seven. The Jets may have improved to 2-5 and have an easier schedule the rest of the way, but the fact still remains they would have to go 8-1 to have a real chance in 2016. This is unlikely and thus they must remain on the course of giving an opportunity to younger or potentially good players so the Jets can field a competitive team in 2017. This started against the Ravens as Geno Smith took over the quarterback job. He left due to injury and Ryan Fitzpatrick, with the help of Matt Forte, won the game. Nonetheless the Jets must spend these next nine games evaluating players who are crucial for their future success.
Despite a Win, the New York Jets Must Stick to Evaluating Players
Cornerbacks
This is one of the weakest positions of 2016 for the Jets. Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, and Marcus Williams have gotten most of the time at cornerback this year. During this period the Jets are currently in, 2016 fourth-round pick Juston Burris should get more playing time. This is a serious need for the Jets going into the 2017 season. The Jets need to know what they have at cornerback because if not it looks like another offseason where the Jets will have to utilized free agency or the draft to address the issue.
Running Backs
This may sound questionable at first. Matt Forte played poorly in the four games after his tremendous showing against the Buffalo Bills. However, he showed why he is considered a top running back after his 154-total yard, two-total touchdown performance against the Ravens.
With that being said, there is really nothing left for him to prove this season. He surely deserves to live out his three-year contract with the Jets.
The Jets should lessen his workload in favor of Bilal Powell. This should be done for two reasons. The first reason is that Powell has shown sparks of success sporadically over his career, but mostly when he was the number two running back. He should get more carries to help develop a consistent running game for 2017 even if he is still the number two running back. The other reason is that Forte is 30 years old which is an age of big decline for running backs. His type of success seems to convey that a big decline is unlikely. Still the Jets shouldn’t run him to the ground in a seemingly loss season.
Receivers
Behind Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa on the depth chart are undrafted free agent Robby Anderson, undrafted free agent Jalin Marshall, 2016 seventh-round pick Charone Peake, and 2015 second-round pick Devin Smith. Each should get more playing time and already have started to in Eric Decker‘s absence. Smith should get a big chunk of time in the next few weeks. He’s still working his way back from injury, but when he returns he should be eased into a big role. Smith was surrounded by a lot of hype after being drafted, but even before his injury he showed practically nothing. Part of that reason was that Marshall and Decker were getting consistent playing time. With Decker out for the season and the Jets unofficially out of playoff contention, all these receivers, especially Smith, should get a long look.
Also tight end Kellen Davis should not be starting in front of Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Seferian-Jenkins could solve a big offensive hole at tight end which other tight ends like Davis couldn’t do. The Jets can only find out about it by playing him though.
Quarterbacks
This position is obviously being evaluated right now. Geno Smith got his first start and showed decent play. For Smith to be signed next year he’ll have to show more than simply decent play. Unless Smith is healthy enough to play and has tremendous games in the next few contests, Bryce Petty should also get a shot this year. The only young quarterback who shouldn’t get any playing time is Christian Hackenberg. He still appears far too raw to get a look this year.
It’s important for both Smith and Petty to get time since the Jets might be put in a position where they will have an early first-round draft pick. This can be used to address quarterback, but there are also many other positions that need to be addressed. That’s why it’s important to see if either Smith or Petty can be a viable option for next year.
