Add pieces in the secondary.
The default for any team with a second-year quarterback is to add weapons, but the Jets will focus their passing attack around receivers Elijah Moore and Corey Davis next season. I'd like to see them add a tight end and bring back one of their slot receivers (Jamison Crowder or Braxton Berrios), but those are ancillary moves. Their biggest mystery on offense might actually revolve around the future of 2020 first-rounder Mekhi Becton, who missed almost all of last season and might have lost the left tackle job to George Fant.
Instead, coach Robert Saleh has to fix a defense that fell from 21st to dead last in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) during his first season at the helm. The Jets lost two key contributors to torn Achilles -- edge rusher Carl Lawson and safety Marcus Maye -- but even on paper, it was easy to see that they were going to be holding for dear life at cornerback. With Maye set to hit free agency, a defense that ranked last in QBR allowed without pressure needs to add players who can hold up in coverage.
Several of Saleh's former charges in San Francisco will be free agents this offseason, including Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon and K'Waun Williams. If the Jets let Maye walk, they'll also need to look for another starter at safety, where 49ers defenders Marcell Harris and Jaquiski Tartt will be unrestricted free agents. Adding Saleh's former players won't single-handedly fix the Jets -- and they are hopeful their coach can bring along young players Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols -- but Gang Green is crying out for a veteran corner on the outside.
ESPN + Bill Barnwell
The default for any team with a second-year quarterback is to add weapons, but the Jets will focus their passing attack around receivers Elijah Moore and Corey Davis next season. I'd like to see them add a tight end and bring back one of their slot receivers (Jamison Crowder or Braxton Berrios), but those are ancillary moves. Their biggest mystery on offense might actually revolve around the future of 2020 first-rounder Mekhi Becton, who missed almost all of last season and might have lost the left tackle job to George Fant.
Instead, coach Robert Saleh has to fix a defense that fell from 21st to dead last in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) during his first season at the helm. The Jets lost two key contributors to torn Achilles -- edge rusher Carl Lawson and safety Marcus Maye -- but even on paper, it was easy to see that they were going to be holding for dear life at cornerback. With Maye set to hit free agency, a defense that ranked last in QBR allowed without pressure needs to add players who can hold up in coverage.
Several of Saleh's former charges in San Francisco will be free agents this offseason, including Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon and K'Waun Williams. If the Jets let Maye walk, they'll also need to look for another starter at safety, where 49ers defenders Marcell Harris and Jaquiski Tartt will be unrestricted free agents. Adding Saleh's former players won't single-handedly fix the Jets -- and they are hopeful their coach can bring along young players Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols -- but Gang Green is crying out for a veteran corner on the outside.
ESPN + Bill Barnwell
