Get a head coach – I’m not clear on how Adam Gase still has his job, or why he was hired in the first place. A coach with experience like Doug Pederson, Jim Caldwell, or Bill O’Brien would be good. Iowa’s Matt Campbell probably has better offers than to go to New York, but he would help bring a different culture than the “same old Jets.”
Get a quarterback – While the Jets could draft Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Zach Wilson this organization has repeatedly failed to develop young passers in Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Christian Hackenberg, and now Sam Darnold. I think they should sign a veteran passer like Tyrod Taylor or Andy Dalton and trade back to add key players (offensive tackle, wide receiver, interior OL) to the roster to eventually be able to support a young quarterback instead of just wasting another rookie’s career like they’ve done several times before. Throwing money at Dak Prescott would be my first move, but Prescott’s getting paid every year on the franchise tag, so he would have little incentive to accept a deal from a bottom team like the Jets.
Draft good players – If the Jets got a haul to trade back, they could reasonably draft top tackle prospect Jalen Mayfield who has 16 starts at right tackle to play across from Becton. Standing pat at two and taking Sewell would probably be leaving value on the table with Becton’s early success at left tackle. The Jets will likely draft in the mid to late 20’s with the Seahawks first round pick. While Joe Douglas is supposedly an “O-line guy” and may want to draft another offensive lineman, drafting a wide receiver or cornerback will likely grant them the greatest value at that spot. Ohio State’s Chris Olave or Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr. might be available and provide strong value late in the first.
Hold the Line – Paying up for a higher end offensive lineman like Patriots guard Joe Thuney or Washington’s Brandon Scherff might cost a lot but the Jets line, even with the revamping Douglas did for the ’20 season hasn’t blocked consistently well with the exception of Mekhi Becton. Jets QB1 will perform with more confidence if the line can buy him some time to read the defense. The Jets have usually spent early draft picks and big money on defensive players, and while defense still matters, creating a hospitable environment for a new quarterback will increase their chances of winning football games more than having a killer front three.
Song of the post is Odesza’s Loyal
Gridiron Seasonal 