For the New York Jets to endure even a moderately successful 2017 campaign, and perhaps for Mike Maccagnan to retain his job, the Jets need their young players to perform. After cutting Eric Decker, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis and Brandon Marshall, among others, the Jets no longer have a reliable core of veterans. Rather, the team is comprised of young players, many of whom remain unproven at the professional level. If such players emerge as bonafide stars, the Jets might have a promising future. If not, they’ll be back to square one. Here are next season’s the five most important Jets.
The Five Most Important New York Jets in 2017
5. Morris Claiborne
After a woeful 2016 campaign, the New York Jets secondary needs to improve dramatically in 2017. The additions of Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams will solidify the safety position, but for the group to excel as a unit, improvement at the cornerback position is needed. Young players such as Justin Burris and Marcus Williams can augment the unit by developing into quality starters. Buster Skrine will need to rebound after struggling last season. Yet the success of the unit is contingent upon the performance and durability of Morris Claiborne. If healthy, Claiborne has the potential to be a star. Last season, Claiborne allowed just a surrendered 63 passer rating, good for ninth best in the league. If Claiborne remains hampered by injuries, however, the entire unit will suffer.
4. Quincy Enunwa
Quincy Enunwa was perhaps the lone bright spot during the Jets dismal 2016 campaign. After catching just 22 balls in 2015, “Q” burst onto the scene last season. The Nebraska product caught 58 balls, many of which coming in remarkable fashion. His 857 yards were good for second on the team, as were his four touchdown receptions. Enunwa has solidified his role as a solid weapon in the Jets offense. Next season, however, we’ll learn just how good Enunwa can be. Possessing a rare combination of both size and breakaway speed, if Enunwa realizes his full potential, he’ll be a legitimate star in the NFL. His hands have been pedestrian at times, however, and he was inconsistent at points last season. Enunwa’s third season, therefore, is his most crucial to date.
3. Muhammad Wilkerson
After Wilkerson’s disappointing, controversy riddled 2016 season, it can be deceptively simple to forget just how good he’s been throughout his career. The Temple product recorded 12 sacks in 2015 before suffering a broken right leg in the season finale, and recorded 11 sacks the year prior. Wilkerson was considered among the game’s best defensive ends, and for good reason. If Wilkerson regains his pre-injury form, he can be a dominant force. With Leonard Williams looking every bit like the real deal, he and Wilkerson can form the game’s best defensive line tandem.
2. Todd Bowles
Since arriving in New York two years ago, head coach Todd Bowles has endured a tumultuous tenure, to say the least. After leading a successful 2015 campaign, Bowles was highly regarded among both fans and players alike. It seemed as if his no-nonsense, disciplinarian persona was the perfect departure from the outspoken Rex Ryan. Yet in 2016, Bowles’ ability to control his players came under fire. By the time the season drew to a merciful conclusion, the Jets had shown themselves to be one of the most undisciplined teams in the league. Off the field, the Jets were entrenched in constant conflict with one another, headlined by a brutal feud between Sheldon Richardson and Brandon Marshall. On the field, the Jets proved to be just as wayward, as broken coverages occurred at an alarmingly high rate. Simply put, next season is Bowles’ audition. Is he the right man to lead the team’s rebuild? Can he successfully control the team’s roster, now featuring an abundance of youth? If Bowles fails to manage the Jets in 2017, he could be on his way out of New York.
1. Christian Hackenberg
By all indications, Josh McCown will be the New York Jets starting quarterback in week one. But he’s not the gunslinger Jets fans should have their eyes on. Because waiting in the wings, along with Bryce Petty, is Christian Hackenberg. Having taken exactly zero regular season snaps, Hackenberg remains very much an enigma. The Jets want nothing more than for Hackenberg to develop into the team’s franchise quarterback. If Hackenberg plays well in 2017-well enough to justify his position as the team’s quarterback of the future-the season can be viewed as a success, regardless of record. If not, the Jets will likely have to spend important draft capital on a quarterback in the 2018 NFL draft. Hackenberg, therefore, is easily the most important Jet of the 2017 season.
