Jets' Offseason Needs: All Offense?
Offense, offense and more offense.
The New York Jets' primary offseason objective should be improving an offense that ranked one spot from the bottom of the NFL last year. While the return of future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers will instantly upgrade the unit, there are multiple positions of need amongst the supporting cast.
Sports Illustrated identified "the biggest holes for every NFL team to fill in free agency" and all three of the Jets' listed needs are on the offensive side of the ball. SI suggested that New York pursue multiple offensive linemen as well as a WR2 and a tight end.
With the recent release of starting left guard Laken Tomlinson, the Jets have three open spots amongst the front five responsible for protecting Rodgers. New York could opt to fill one spot by drafting a franchise offensive tackle at No. 10 overall but will have to be active on free agent market in some way, too.
Longtime Dallas Cowboys' bookend Tyron Smith is expected to draw interest from the Jets amongst others. When it comes to free agent guards, Baltimore Ravens' veteran Kevin Zeitler and Miami Dolphins' starter Robert Hunt are two of the more appealing options slated to hit the market.
After signing a four-year contract reportedly worth $44 million, Allen Lazard fell well short of meeting WR2 expectations in 2023. He was a healthy scratch on three occasions and finished with 23 receptions and one touchdown on 49 targets. The Jets need to equip Rodgers with capable pass-catchers who will complement clear-cut WR1 Garrett Wilson.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly re-signing Mike Evans, the Jets may have to settle for a receiver on the level of Calvin Ridley or Gabe Davis. There will likely be at least two new names amongst New York's receiving corps in 2024.
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Tyler Conklin has been a reliable TE1 and has the potential to thrive with a quarterback like Rodgers at the controls. His 621 receiving yards were second most on the Jets last year. New York hasn't had such fortune with veteran CJ Uzomah, who has underperformed and is rumored as a potential salary cap casualty. With more pressing needs elsewhere, the Jets could stand pat at tight end and roll the dice by filling out the depth chart with Jeremy Ruckert and 2023 seventh-rounder Zack Kuntz.
Compared to the offense, the Jets' needs on the defensive side of the ball are minimal. New York's defense has been a Top 4 unit in the NFL each of the past two seasons. There are vacancies at defensive tackle and safety, but the foundational pieces are in place at each level of the defense.
SI Writes:
"There’s also an argument for quarterback on this list, but let’s assume the Jets address that in the draft. For Aaron Rodgers to be successful in 2024, he needs an upgraded offensive line, both at tackle and on the interior.
New York also needs to figure out the receiver position beyond Garrett Wilson. Mecole Hardman Jr. was a flop, and Allen Lazard is trending toward being cut after this season. The Jets need a viable weapon to pull coverage away from Wilson."
