New York Jets Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

The New York Jets finished the 2016-17 season by winning two of their final four games to finish 5-11 overall. The offseason saw the team rid itself of a number of veteran players, including receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, linebacker David Harris and cornerback Darrelle Revis. When a team makes such moves, it suggests one thing....

Rebuild.

That seems to be the direction the Jets are headed as they enter the 2017-18 season.

The first thing the Jets need to figure out is their quarterback situation. The team signed Josh McCown to a one-year deal during the offseason. While McCown provides the team with a serviceable quarterback, if he wins the starting job, McCown, 38, is not the team's long-term answer. 26-year old, 2015 draft pick Bryce Petty and 22-year-old, 2016 draft pick Christian Hackenberg offer the team future options at the position, but neither are ready to be NFL starters. At some point of the season, I'd expect both young quarterbacks to get a shot in regular season games.

The Jets lack experience at wide receiver without the veteran duo of Decker and Marshall. Quincy Enunwa would have led the receiving core but sustained a season-ending neck injury in practice in early August. That leaves second-year wideouts Robby Anderson, Charone Peake and Jalin Marshall to shoulder the load while recent third-rounder ArDarius Stewart and fourth-rounder Chad Hansen will also get opportunities in the passing game. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins should also get plenty of looks after serving a two-game suspension to start the season. 2017 fifth-rounder Jordan Leggett also serves as a prospect at the tight end position but will need seasoning as all rookies do.

A position the Jets do have some experience at is running back. Longtime Bear Matt Forte rushed for 813 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 30 passes for 263 yards and another score in just 14 games. While its presumable to expect that production to fall as Forte ages, he can still be leaned upon if the passing game falters. Bilal Powell ran for 722 yards and three touchdowns while recording 58 receptions, 388 yards and two scores in the passing game. The duo of Forte and Powell will serve as a nice 1-2 punch out of the backfield while rookie Elijah McGuire should also get a share of carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets feature a number of dynamic players, even after the departure of Harris. Demario Davis now leads the linebacker core after posting 99 total tackles with the Browns last year. Darron Lee will also play a big role after recording 73 total tackles last season. Watch for outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who should start after a productive rookie season last year.

Versatile 2015 first-rounder Leonard Williams leads a defensive line that also features veteran Muhammad Wilkerson. The Jets' linebackers and defensive lineman will need to slow down the run as the secondary features young and inexperienced players.

Newly-acquired Morris Claiborne and veteran Buster Skrine hope to slow down opponent's passing games. 2017 first round pick Jamal Adams and second-rounder Marcus Maye will play big roles at the safety positions from the start of the season. Both Adams and Maye should become above-average players at the position, but it will take them each awhile to reach that level. The Jets are going to need a few defensive backs to step up if they want to have any chance stopping the pass.

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - at Buffalo Bills (L) 2 - at Oakland Raiders (L) 3 - vs Miami Dolphins (L) 4 - vs Jacksonville Jaguars (L) 5 - at Cleveland Browns (L) 6 - vs New England Patriots (L) 7 - at Miami Dolphins (L) 8 - vs Atlanta Falcons (L) 9 - vs Buffalo Bills (W) 10 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L) 11 - BYE 12 - vs Carolina Panthers (L) 13 - vs Kansas City Chiefs (L) 14 - at Denver Broncos (L) 15 - at New Orleans Saints (L) 16 - vs Los Angeles Chargers (L) 17 - at New England Patriots (L)

Season Record: 1-15, 1-5 AFC East

The Jets' offense simply does not have the firepower to hang with most teams in the league. Their defense could be a surprise, but don't expect the unit to keep the team in each game. Weeks 3-5 most likely represents the "easiest" stretch of games for the Jets, but it certainly won't determine whether or not New York makes the postseason. The 2017-18 season looks like the start of a lengthy rebuild for the New York Jets.

Next AFC Team Up - Cleveland Browns

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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