The Jets are simply days away from kicking off their 2022 season in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 11.
While the Jets went 3-0 in the course of the preseason, many questions stay. Will coach Robert Saleh enhance from his 4-13 report a 12 months in the past? What in regards to the development of quarterback Zach Wilson?
If the Jets are to snap their 11-season playoff drought — the longest within the NFL — they might want to reply these questions, together with a number of others.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN ZACH?
The quarterback is probably the most essential place in soccer and on the Jets’ roster. Wilson had a pedestrian rookie marketing campaign the place he handed for two,334 yards, 9 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Gang Green must see development from Wilson in Year 2 if the crew goes to take that subsequent step from one of many worst groups in soccer to presumably a playoff crew. Too typically final season, Wilson felt like he needed to carry the crew on his again, leading to interceptions and staring down receivers.
If Wilson can reduce down on the interceptions and rely extra on the gamers round him, the Jets may enhance within the AFC East standings as quickly as this 12 months. If not, the Jets might need to assess the place Wilson is and decide if they should choose a quarterback in subsequent April’s draft.
HOW MUCH WILL THE D IMPROVE?
The Jets’ protection can’t get any worse than it was in 2021. Really it may’t, as Gang Green completed lifeless final in yards allowed (397.6 per sport) and factors allowed (29.6).
To assist enhance the protection, the Jets signed cornerback D.J. Reed, security Jordan Whitehead and drafted cornerback Sauce Gardner and move rusher Jermaine Johnson within the first spherical. The Jets don’t need to turn out to be the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who gained a Super Bowl with their stellar protection, to have success this 12 months. However, they might want to at the very least turn out to be a mean protection if the Jets are going to show issues round.
DUANE AND THE O-LINE
The Jets signed Duane Brown on Aug. 15 after the season-ending knee harm to Mekhi Becton. On paper, Gang Green ought to be a greater unit with veteran Brown at left sort out, George Fant at proper sort out and the addition of Laken Tomlinson at left guard to go alongside guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and middle Connor McGovern.
But the 5 gamers haven’t had a variety of observe time collectively main as much as the season as a result of it took Brown a number of weeks to get acclimated to coaching camp and dwell soccer motion after signing late. Also, Fant moved to proper sort out after he started coaching camp because the crew’s left sort out.
OFFENSIVE MVP: WR ELIJAH MOORE
Choosing a participant who recorded 43 receptions for 538 yards and 5 touchdowns final season to be the Jets’ offensive MVP could be shocking to some. However, after a formidable coaching camp, it appears Moore is able to take the step and presumably turn out to be Gang Green’s finest offensive participant.
He has all the pieces you need in a receiver, minus his measurement (listed at 5-10). Moore is a precision route runner who can separate from defenders.
Quarterback Joe Flacco in contrast Moore to former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens receiver Steve Smith. If Moore is something like the longer term Hall of Famer in his second 12 months, 75 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 TDs in 2022 might be within the playing cards.
DEFENSIVE MVP: DE CARL LAWSON
Lawson was presupposed to be the Jets’ huge free agent splash in 2021, however he tore his Achilles and missed the whole season. A 12 months later, Lawson might be poised to not solely be a candidate for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award however the Jets’ defensive MVP.
Throughout coaching camp, Lawson was unstoppable, irrespective of if he was going in opposition to the Jets offensive line or the Atlanta Falcons and the Giants throughout joint practices. The most sacks Lawson has registered in a season is 8.5 throughout his rookie 12 months with the Bengals. He may doubtlessly attain double-digits for the primary time in his profession.
SEASON PREDICTION
The Jets have improved on each side of the ball and went out and acquired Wilson extra toys offensively than he had a season in the past. But a brutal early schedule and questions with Wilson and the crew’s protection will probably forestall them from being a playoff crew in 2022.
The Jets start their season in opposition to the whole AFC North after which they play the Dolphins, Packers and Broncos. If the Jets can come out of that stretch 4-3 or 3-4, then possibly playoffs might be within the playing cards for Saleh’s crew.
Right now, it appears the Jets are a 12 months away from contending in a loaded AFC. But Saleh and basic supervisor Joe Douglas seem to have the crew headed in the fitting course.
Prediction: 7-10 (tied for third place within the AFC East)
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Source: www.bostonherald.com