Content available exclusively for subscribers
Are the two executives who don’t have names right about the Jets roster? Let’s take a closer look . . .
Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah, a very good draft analyst from NFL.com, recently quoted unnamed NFL executive saying, “I think the Jets might have the worst roster I’ve seen in a decade.”
One executive told Brian Costello in the New York Post – “They have the worst roster in the league and it’s not close.”
Are these body blows to the Jets’ roster accurate?
It’s definitely hyperbolic at this point.
First of all, we are talking about a 90-man roster now. NFL teams will cut down to 53 after the slate of fourth preseason games wrap up.
So when you talk about “worst roster” now, what are you really talking about? The rosters are bloated right now, and we’re not even sure of the make-up of the Jets’ final 53.
And keep in mind, there will likely be 2-4 players added this summer, with a chance of being on the final 53, who aren’t even in Florham Park right now – waiver claims, trades and so forth.
But for these unnamed cats to make these statements, without being at the Jets practices this spring, is irresponsible.
I’m not saying this is the most talented roster in the league, but the Jets have plenty of talent. It’s a foolish narrative to act like these are like the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They have two good running backs – Bilal Powell and Matt Forte, who are also both good receivers in a new offense that will throw to the backs a lot.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins looked Jimmy Graham-like this spring.
Robby Anderson looks like a potential #1 receiver. He was very good this spring – improved from last year.
I know he’s suspended for four games, but Jalin Marshall had a superb minicamp as a receiver.
The offensive line should be solid. Wesley Johnson is an underrated center, the guards return intact, and Brandon Shell looks like he’s going to be a rock solid right tackle. The Jets new left tackle, Kelvin Beachum, was a very good left tackle in Pittsburgh, but he had an inconsistent 2016 in Jacksonville, but a lot of that was attributed to coming off a serious knee injury. They say two seasons removed from ACL surgery, you are truly back to your old self. Beachum is a consistent left tackle when healthy – he knows what he’s doing out there.
The Jets’ defensive line is one of the best in football with the obvious names and a wild-card in powerhouse nose tackle Mike Pennel.
The linebacker corps is a question mark, but it could turn out to be okay if Darron Lee takes a big step in Year Two, and the Jets get more pressure off the edge. We will see who the MIKE linebacker will be – DeMario Davis, Bruce Carter and Julian Stanford are competing for that spot.
In their secondary, cornerback Mo Claiborne had a good spring. He’s really fast and quick, so he improves the Jets’ speed at cornerback, which was problem last year. Rookie safety Jamal Adams is so instinctive and smart, he should be a rookie of the year candidate. We will see who starts at the second safety and second cornerback spots.
Most important – Josh McCown had a nice spring and looks like a very good game manager. IMO, he should start at the beginning of the year, and stay in the lineup as long as the Jets are in wild-card contention.
Look, I’m not saying this team is going to the playoffs.
But the hyperbolic negativity about the quality of roster is a big much.
June 19, 2017
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Tuesday.