Insights and analysis on division rivals: the New York Jets

What’s the status of a number of key issues as they pertain to the New York Jets and their quest to supplant the New England Patriots in the AFC East?

With the New England Patriots about to embark on their first season since 1999 without Tom Brady on the roster, it’s a perfect time to reset and take stock of the situation — both around the team and around the NFL at large.

Where better to look first than within the AFC East?

The New York Jets finished in third place last season and fell victims to their bitter division rivals on both occasions that they played.

The first game in Foxborough was noteworthy for two main reasons: Josh Gordon’s fantastic, toe-tapping sideline catch while playing through dislocated fingers, and Jarrett Stidham’s brief cameo that ended promptly after he threw a pick-six to Jets safety Jamal Adams.

The second game at MetLife was the famous “seeing ghosts” game where New York quarterback Sam Darnold couldn’t overcome the spooky New England secondary. It only further heightened “the Boogeymen” nickname and reputation of the Patriots defense last year.

We caught up with Paul A. Esden Jr. from The Jet Press to get a sense of where Gang Green is at these days with the NFL Draft less than two weeks away.

With his mononucleosis behind him, what kind of season do you predict for Sam Darnold in Year 3?

The third year is usually a pretty big one for a young quarterback. Sam Darnold has missed six games in his first two seasons and hasn’t been able to realize his full potential yet.

Everything is lining up for him to have his best season yet in 2020 and everyone is betting on it. The expectation is for Darnold to have his best season yet coming up.

How much does the loss of Robby Anderson hurt the offense (if at all)?

I can’t truly answer this question until we know the full results of the 2020 NFL Draft. Robby Anderson was a very solid player for the NY Jets, but he wasn’t spectacular. The man never had a 1,000-yard season and battled off the field issues early in his career.

If the Jets don’t do anything else at receiver, they’ll be in a bad way. If they add several pieces, they’ll be just fine.

What’s the general feeling among Jets fans and analysts when it comes to Adam Gase as head coach these days?

Let’s just say this: If Adam Gase was running for mayor, he wouldn’t win.

A lot of fans hated the move when it was made to hire Gase, and not much has changed in a positive way since. Gase was heralded for his abilities as an offensive wizard and quarterback whisperer … and he’s been the opposite. In 2020, he’s firmly on the hot seat unless he can win ballgames and — most importantly — develop Sam Darnold.

What are the biggest areas of need for the Jets in this draft, and who do you see them taking at No. 11?

The NY Jets have several needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft in no particular order: offensive line overall, wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback, backup quarterback, to name a few.

Although in terms of their first-round selection we’ve boiled it down to two legitimate options: either wide receiver or offensive tackle. There’s a consensus top four: Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr, Tristan Wirfs, and Mekhi Becton. Or at wide receiver: Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs III.

What’s your projection for how this season will turn out overall for New York in terms of record and final outcome?

If they fill the needs on offense they will compete for the AFC East in 2020. At this point ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, the team could go 9-7 this year and finish in first or second place in the division. The Buffalo Bills are the prohibitive favorite and the New England Patriots will be in the mix, but how much so? It depends on what they’re able to accomplish in the draft.

We don’t agree with the sentiment that Buffalo is the ‘prohibitive favorite’ to win the division, but we appreciate all the analysis nonetheless.

Be sure to also check out the companion piece to this article on the Patriots’ offseason here.