Can the Jets’ new additions live up to the hype?
Jets fans have moderate hype coming into 2022.
The 2021 campaign was miserable but the offseason has trended upward. Wins are clearly the ultimate grade on the test of a 17-game span. It’s still necessary for NY to keep games within reasonable margins even in the sting of a loss. Teams need evidence that they have a fighting chance each week.
The Jets are more capable of going toe-to-toe with most teams throughout the league.
Success in the Draft
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was the correct decision as a high first-round pick out of Cincinnati. Gardner’s length and reach factor into his press coverage. Opponents scored zero touchdowns when targeting Sauce. Quarterbacks were 8-30 on passes with the longest completion being 13 yards.
Larger receivers would be trouble for him when engaging in contested passes. His only other area of improvement is cutting down on hand checking down the field. It’s a pass-heavy league, so officials will be key in on those potential plays. Gardner is still plug-and-play for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
The Jets took a risk in drafting a 183-pound Garrett Wilson 10th overall. Smaller receivers who aren’t gadget guys have a steeper adjustment to the physical aspect of the NFL. Wilson will mitigate this with marvellous balance. Garrett’s fluent movement to adjust in the air should give Zach all the assurance in those decisions to throw a 50-50 ball. New York now has a reliable vertical threat to work into the passing game.
Free agency improvements
New York signed Laken Tomlinson, a former guard for San Francisco. Current Jets offensive line coach and run game coordinator John Benton has been ecstatic about this transaction.
Benton has tons of compliments for Tomlinson. “He has excellent first-step quickness, suddenness, and explosion. He can get to all targets. Consistently affects defenders on arrival. He’s productive at all three levels. Works well in combos. I thought he showed really good lateral range.”
Tomlinson is crucial in slowing down the pressure that so badly hurt Zach Wilson’s already-low completion percentage in 2021. Mekhi Becton won’t suit up because of a chip fracture in his right kneecap. Releasing the promising young tackle is now a real possibility.
Becton came into the preseason with a chip on his shoulder. He’s heard the critiques of durability from being a high draft pick. Trade rumors swirled because of a perceived bad fit with the current running game. New signing Duane Brown now holds the current position voided by Becton.
Other offensive free agent signings included two tight ends. T.J. Uzomah fell short in a spectacular Super Bowl in Los Angeles back in February. Uzomah caught 49 passes on an offense that featured Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Tyler Conklin is now a Jet coming off his most productive campaign from 2021. Two tight ends buttress the comfort level for young quarterbacks who may be uneasy in their progressions. Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert was taken in the third round which appears to be a depth move. It’s unlikely he’ll be a relevant factor anytime soon.
What to expect from the new arrivals
From the draft class to free agency, this roster will succeed more than the ones from years prior. General Manager Joe Douglas has great value in all of the draft selections including Jermaine Johnson II. Johnson could flame out because of lack of size.
For late first-round potential, he’s worth the development process. Breece Hall is one of the more accomplished running backs in recent memory. With the injury to Becton, Max Mitchell from Louisiana may see the field.
Head coach Robert Saleh appears to have universal appeal throughout the organization. With a defensive background, he’ll delegate most of the development of Zach Wilson to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. As for Wilson, his career lives and dies during those few seconds of play processing.
Relying on second-reaction plays works for Aaron Rodgers but that style is largely unsustainable. Wilson’s post-snap processing skills are an indication of how this team can increase their win total. Fans may not be realistically expecting a division title. That doesn’t mean the Jets aren’t ready for takeoff.
