2021 Team Preview: New York Jets

Thanks for checking out our latest article in our 2021 Team Preview series. We will be breaking down the outlook for teams in 2021, key acquisitions during the off-season and through the 2021 NFL Draft, key losses, and looking at each team from a dynasty perspective. We’ll give you some players to consider buying, selling, stashing, and potential sleeper candidates. Stay tuned for more team breakdowns as we approach the 2021 NFL season. Here is our 2021 Team Preview: New York Jets

Last year the New York Jets had a season that we all want to forget. From tanking for Trevor Lawrence to winning back-to-back games against playoff teams to drop to the number two pick, the Jets seemed to have messed it up. The same old Jets mentality began to kick back in, and optimism was low.  Sitting at number two, the initial thinking was draft Justin Fields or stay at pick two, keep Sam Darnold, and draft Kyle Pitts.

This offseason, they finally fired Adam Gase and brought in Robert Saleh. Robert Saleh brought in Mike LaFleur from the 49ers and is bringing along the Kyle Shanahan offense to the Jets. The Jets drafted Zach Wilson, the 22-year-old rookie out of BYU, at pick two. They then traded Sam Darnold for a second and fourth-round pick from the Carolina Panthers. Many in the media questioned this trade and began calling Zach Wilson a bust after a stretch of poor practice performances.

Those questions have been pretty much silenced after Wilson’s two preseason performances. Most recently against the Green Bay Packers going 9-11 for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson also looked sharp in his debut versus the New York Giants going 6-9 with 63 yards on two drives. Wilson is also showing poise and consistency from joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles. As New York Jets fan, I finally have some hope that we got this one right.

2021 Outlook

My prediction for the 2021 New York Jets season is 6-11. Last year the Jets were a complete mess and they made numerous additions this offseason to indicate the turnaround is happening. They drafted Elijah Moore with the 34^th pick and added to the left side of their offensive line by trading up to 14 to draft Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The Jets defense still has a lot of question marks, and losing Carl Lawson, their big free agency pass rush acquisition, was a huge blow, but the future finally seems bright for this team. The team is still lacking a lot of top-end talent, but a lot of rookies and younger players are going to fight for playing time and gain valuable experience.

With Wilson on a rookie deal, the Jets are expected to have plenty of cap space next offseason and four picks in the top 50. The hope in Florham Park is for Zach Wilson to have a Justin Herbert-type rookie season, and attract some big-name free agents next offseason. The Jets also added rookie running back Michael Carter in the fourth round who projects to be one of the starters. A young offense combined with a young defense means growing pains for this team, but a bright future.

Key Acquisitions/Losses

The offense will see an immense upgrade from Gase to LaFleur. Last season the Jets were unwatchable. I only watched to root for the tank, and they failed at that. The Jets lost Breshad Perriman and Frank Gore on offense and now Frank Gore is not on a roster and Perriman is struggling in Lions Training Camp despite not having much wide receiver talent on the roster.

Joe Douglas went out and added Corey Davis, the former Titan wide receiver, who is Zach Wilson’s favorite target already. On his first seven attempts against the Packers, Davis was targeted six times. On top of Davis, the Jets drafted Moore out of Ole Miss, who is having a terrific Training Camp.

Michael Carter, the rookie out of North Carolina, and Tevin Coleman, their recent free agent signing from the 49ers, were added to the backfield and most likely will be co-starters Week 1. Tevin Coleman knows the offensive scheme being put into place in New York, and that gives him a leg up on the job. If Coleman can stay healthy he might be someone worth keeping an eye on.

The offensive system in New York is one that fits Wilson’s skillset. With Mekhi Becton anchoring the left tackle position, and Vera-Tucker sliding into left guard, the Jets are most likely to lean on that side of the ball a lot. The Jets plan to run and run often as per LaFleur, and there isn’t a true bell cow, as of now, in this backfield. The Jets likely will use Coleman, Carter, La’Mical Perine, and Ty Johnson in some sort of rotation.

The Jets currently have Chris Herndon on the roster who has yet to break out but also added Tyler Kroft who caught both of Wilson’s touchdown passes against the Packers.

Consistency Score Home

Consistency Score: Running Backs

Consistency Score: Wide Receivers

Consistency Score: Tight Ends

Consistency Score: DST

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Dynasty Quick Hits

Buy Low: Zach Wilson

Wilson was being called a bust after several practices. The buy low window is beginning to close after two solid preseason efforts. Wilson’s pre-draft process raved about his arm strength and his FOMO game style (fear of missing out). Wilson is likely to rely heavily on Davis whose stock is rising fast.  We have yet to see Moore in live game action, but he’s another big-time target for Wilson who has flashed his talent in Training Camp. A 4,000-yard rookie passing season shouldn’t be out of the question. Right now, I would view Wilson as a great QB2 all around. He is a good backup in 1QB leagues and for Superflex, I would have no problem starting him as a QB2.

Sell High: Michael Carter

There are not many players I would consider a sell high for the Jets. Based on ADP alone this year thus far I would have to say, Carter. Against the Packers, Coleman got the start. Currently, the Jets have Johnson, Perine, and Coleman on the roster outside of Carter. Carter should separate himself from the bunch at some point this season, but right now it’s a true committee, and that 8^th round ADP may not pay off right away.

Sleeper: Tyler Kroft

Herndon, in his fourth year, entered this offseason as the projected starter for the Jets, but not without numerous question marks. The seven-year veteran Kroft was brought in this offseason from Buffalo to a one-year deal. The 6’6 tight end already made an impact against the Packers showing some swift moves as he caught two touchdown passes from Wilson. A tight end is a rookie’s safety blanket, and Herndon has shown nothing in this Training Camp to separate from Kroft.

Kroft by no means is a TE1. At this moment, he’s pushing low-end TE2 with the touchdown upside. With LaFleur, tight ends play a big role in the Shanahan offense, see George Kittle. Maybe we have something brewing here? He’s cheap as can be and someone worth keeping an eye on.

Stash: Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims, the second-year receiver out of Baylor, is purely a dynasty stash right now. Reports came out recently that Mims lost a lot of weight from food poisoning. Whatever the case is, he looked solid in his first preseason action against the Giants. He made a great play on a 3^rd and 18 where he pushed the pile to get a first down. Mims has the talent, the profile, and the speed as well. He ran a 4.38 40 yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine.

Next season the Jets are losing Jamison Crowder and Mims should have a starting role there. There is also the possibility of a trade. A trade to a team such as the Saints now would elevate him to an immediate starting role. Mims was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft after sliding to the Jets. It’s hard to predict his role as he is playing a lot with the backups and at times the starters. All this does is suppress his value, which could pay off if the talent surfaces.

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