The New York Jets are already a top candidate to have the worst record in 2017. In fact, if Todd Bowles somehow improves on his 5-11 record from 2016 he should be a candidate for Coach of the Year.
Why?
Because this offseason general manager Mike Maccagnan purged the Jets roster. He got rid of almost every veteran on the team in what some fans hope will land New York with the No. 1 overall pick next years draft.
The Jets transactions make sense. If the Jets aren’t a playoff contender they don’t have a need for players on the decline that take up massive amounts of cap room.
For the Jets younger players, they finally get their chance to prove their worth to Maccagnan and company before they too get replaced.
Recent New York Jets Transactions Pave the Way for Younger Players
Wide Receivers
Earlier in the offseason, New York decided to part ways with Brandon Marshall. The move made sense for Gang Green since Marshall wasn’t going to be able to produce with whichever quarterback is taking snaps in 2017.
In addition to the release of Marshall, earlier in the week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that the Jets were going to either release or trade veteran Eric Decker. Decker is recovering from two off-season surgeries and perhaps Maccagnan wasn’t confident in his health. Or, he wanted to give his younger players a shot.
The Jets young receiving corps is led by Quincy Enunwa, who managed 58 receptions and over 800 yards in just his second season. Enunwa could be a lone bright spot in the Jets offense.
In an ideal world Robby Anderson would line up across from Enunwa in 2017, however, legal issues might prevent that. In 2016, Anderson recorded 42 receptions for 587 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
New York can also add its newest rookies to its receiving corps. Third round pick ArDarius Stewart and fourth round pick Chad Hansen both look to be heavily involved in the offense with the recent departures of Decker and Marshall.
Though New York’s receivers will be young and raw in 2017 their production will give the Jets front office some clarity on what they have at the position.
Linebacker
In a shocking move, the Jets released fan favorite linebacker David Harris earlier in the week. Harris had been the cornerstone of the Jets defense for the last decade and the move lacked respect from the organization.
However, it now opens up an opportunity for linebacker Demario Davis. Davis was first drafted by the Jets in 2012 and stayed with the team until 2015 where he played one season for the Browns. Earlier in the month the Jets traded safety Calvin Pryor to the Browns for Davis.
Davis has recorded 90 or more tackles the past four seasons and the release of Harris gives the Jets front office another season to evaluate Davis.
Bottom Line
The 2017 Jets are already penciled in as a top five pick in the 2018 draft. The only positives for the upcoming season are the ability to evaluate their young talent and get a top draft pick to select their next franchise quarterback. Though the recent moves haven’t made the Jets more talented, trending down is the direction they want to be heading in.
