For the first time in a long time, it looks as if the New York Jets are in a really good place. After grabbing their franchise quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Jets finally have a great young core, which is something they have missed for a while.
Why the New York Jets Future Is Finally Bright
Overview
The Quarterback
Somehow, Sam Darnold fell right into the Jets lap at third overall in the draft. They were lucky enough to take the quarterback that most analysts thought had the highest upside.
And with that final piece, it looks as if the Jets’ future is finally looking bright. The team won’t win any rings this year and might not even make the playoffs, but they have the players to get there in a few years.
The Offense
After Darnold, the quarterback of the future, the pieces have fallen nicely around him. The Jets receiving corps, which has never been talked about much, has quietly become above average. With Jermaine Kearse, Quincy Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor leading the charge, and the young talent behind them, whichever quarterback taking snaps will have viable options.
The running back position offers even more optimism. Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, and Thomas Rawls each offer skill sets that will add another dimension to the Jets offense.
Mike Maccagnan has quietly built up an offense complete with skill position players that could give the Jets a great shot at the playoffs.
The Defense
Transitioning to the defensive side of the ball, the Jets secondary is definitely their strong suit. A defensive backfield that matches up with almost any other teams in the league, last year’s rookie combination of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye should be even more special this year. The addition of high priced and skilled free agent Trumaine Johnson makes Gang Green’s secondary that much more dangerous, especially when they couple him with Buster Skrine and Morris Claiborne.
Lastly, the Jets linebackers and defensive line aren’t anything to write home about. Leonard Williams is their star player and will continue to progress, but after him, the players should be just enough to get by. Darron Lee, Avery Williamson and Henry Anderson all should do fine in New York. They just won’t win any awards or keep offensive coordinators up at night.
The Future
After numerous tumultuous seasons, it looks like the Jets are finally on the rise. They have their highly touted franchise quarterback, an offense with playmakers and a secondary that can lock down any offense.
Now it’s just a matter of not being the old Jets. It’s a matter of not being the franchise that continuously shoots itself in the foot. It’s about a teammate not punching another teammate in the jaw. Or running into another player on the field. With this new team and new culture, it’s finally time for the Jets to win. The New York Jets future is finally bright.
