New York Jets Roster Breakdown in 2020

The Jets roster is by no means loaded with superstars, but there are some nice pieces in place. New York did some things during the offseason that figure to expedite the growth of Sam Darnold — namely giving the offensive line a makeover. Le’Veon Bell is still capable of being one of the top running backs in football, and word on the street is that rookie wideout Denzel Mims is ready to burst onto the scene.

Gang Green’s defense has playmakers at every level, although it’s imperative they get on the same page as Jamal Adams and not tarnish their relationship with one of the top safeties in football.

Let’s break down the Jets’ depth chart, position by position, and find out how good it really is.

*Names in bold denotes player is a starter

The jury is still out on the 3^rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. At times, Sam Darnold has looked overwhelmed and discombobulated. In other instances, he looks like a savvy QB ready to put his team on his back.

Year three is when we should truly find out what the USC product is made of.

Joe Flacco arrives as a backup, not a mentor, and still believes he’s worthy of being a starting quarterback.

That’s all poppycock to me — Flacco is washed.

The wheels continue to churn for Frank Gore, now sitting third on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. The Jets brought him in on a one-year deal to spell Le’Veon Bell, but I suspect Bell receives around 300 touches if he can stay healthy.

It was a bit surprising to see New York spend a fourth-round pick on a running back with Bell and Gore firmly entrenched at the top of the depth chart, but perhaps Joe Douglas saw something out of Lamical Perine that was too enticing to pass on.

This is the portion of the New York Jets depth chart that I wish the franchise was more aggressive with during the offseason.

Of course, nabbing Baylor speedster Denzel Mims with the 59^th pick is going to help, but there was a pretty sweet pool of free-agent receivers in the open market back in March. DeAndre Hopkins and Stefon Diggs were available via trade (as was Brandin Cooks), and yet all the Jets did was ink journeyman Breshad Perriman to a one-year deal.

He’s sitting way down the list on most fantasy tight end rankings, but sleeping on Christopher Herndon in 2020 could be a mistake. The 24-year-old TE endured a lost season in 2019, but the reset button has been hit.

The suspension and injured ribs are behind him, and now the focus is on dominating the open field in 2020. Ryan Griffin will assist and play a decent number of snaps. However, the Jets getting regular production out of the tight end position comes down to Herndon’s progression.

With Sam Darnold constantly being hurried and suffering from poor accuracy, Joe Douglas knew that beefing up the offensive line was item #1 on the offseason agenda. And boy, did he achieve his goal.

Not only did the Jets GM pass on a WR and select Mekhi Becton 11^th overall, but he opened his checkbook as well.

Now the ball is in Darnold’s court to make something happen.

Quinnen Williams had a quiet rookie season, but that’s not to say he won’t have a major impact in his second year. Henry Anderson has a hard time penetrating the line of scrimmage, but thankfully, Steve McLendon is one of the most reliable nose tackles around.

The Jets didn’t do a whole lot in terms of adding depth to the linebacking core other than inking former Ravens LB Patrick Onwuasor to a one-year deal. Nevertheless, it’s essentially a new unit when you consider that C.J. Mosley missed 14 games with a groin injury and Blake Cashman missed nine with a torn labrum.

And don’t forget their leading tackler from the 2018 season, Avery Williamson, missed all of 2019 after tearing his ACL during the preseason.

Similar to the offensive line, the Jets cornerback depth chart looks a lot different than it did 12 months ago.

Pierre Desir (free agent) and Quincy Wilson (trade) both arrive from Indianapolis, plus Bryce Hall comes in as an intriguing rookie with lots of upside. Fortunately, the passing attacks in the AFC East aren’t too potent, leading me to believe this group will hold their own.

Widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the NFL, Jamal Adams is a huge part of the Jets’ defense. Gregg Williams needs Adams on the field and contributing to the process rather than sulking around his contract situation.

Marcus Maye will begin the year slotted as the team’s starting free safety, but look for 2020 third-round pick Ashtyn Davis to be a fast riser.

Sam Ficken and former Cowboys kicker Brett Maher will compete for the Jets starting kicker job, but neither man is going to take anyone’s breath away. 

If I was sitting in Joe Douglas’ shoes, I’d call up Stephen Gostkowski and find out if he’s interested in coming on board. Despite being hurt in 2019 no longer an elite placekicker, surely he’s a better option than what New York currently has.

Of 31 qualified NFL kickers’ accuracy, Ficken and Maher ranked 29^th and 31^st, respectively.

Sam Darnold has yet to demonstrate stability at the most important position on an NFL roster. The weapons surrounding Darnold are few and far between, and even though defense looks good on paper, it was very mediocre in terms of last year’s statistics.

I could tell you the Jets roster is complete, and I’m sure that fans in the Big Apple want to hear that the Jets’ depth chart is sufficient.

The truth is the Jets have an uphill battle based on the talent they have in place.

If you are betting NFL online and want to get in on the Jets 2020 action, there are a bunch of ways to get engaged. Attacking specific player props is one way, but you may be more interested in team-orientated wagers.

If that’s the case, step right up to the plate.