Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive
For the second straight offseason, the Jets went on a huge spending spree, and this time it looks like they spent their money more wisely. They brought in stars and players who can truly make a difference.
At least that's what they believe.
If nothing else, it's given the Jets a new look - and not just because of their uniforms - and a new locker room vibe.
So here's a look at the Jets' most important players for 2019:
10. G Kelechi Osemele - The Jets entered the offseason desperately needing offensive line help. So what did they do to improve? They made a minor trade for the 6-5, 330-pound former Raider. That's it. But to the Jets, that felt like enough because Osemele was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017 and they think he'll add some much needed toughness to their front five. If he's not what they expect him to be, though, the Jets' line is in a lot of trouble.
9. WR Quincy Enunwa - They had high hopes for Enunwa to turn into a No. 1 receiver last year, but injuries limited him to just 11 games and he had only 38 catches for 449 yards. He still got a big contract from the Jets, though, so they obviously think he's got potential. Hopefully his ceiling isn't the career-high 58 catches for 857 yards he had in 2016. And hopefully he won't have another injury-riddled season. The Jets' receiving corps is not deep and not top-heavy in talent. If Enunwa is ever going to blossom, now is the time.
8. LB C.J. Mosley - It's hard to tell what's more important to the Jets and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams - Mosley's ability or his leadership. For five years, $85 million, it better be a little bit of both. There are defensive players who are in position to have a bigger impact, but he's going to need to be solid and maybe even flawless. Mostly, though, he's going to have to be Gregg Williams' liaison - making sure the coach's message gets through to the defensive players. And Mosley will have to hold it all together from there.
7. DT Quinnen Williams - The third overall pick in the draft thinks he can "dominate" the NFL right from the start. The Jets would love to see that. They would like him to be an Aaron Donald-like force in the middle, especially since they never really addressed their edge-rusher problem this offseason. If he can be an interior force, Leonard Williams could turn into an interior force. In fact, if the rookie is as good as he thinks he is, it could transform everything about the Jets' defense.
6. S Jamal Adams - If there's one current Jet that seems to be made for new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, it's Adams - the mouthy, energetic, cocky safety who has quickly become the leader of this team. As much as he talks, though, he needs to keep backing it up and he needs to be a ball of energy for his coach on the field. He's been good in his career so far, but not great. The Jets need and expect him to be great.
5. CB Trumaine Johnson - Last year was just a disaster. He didn't play well and even got suspended for a game after signing his five-year, $72 million contract. So right away, he needs to prove he's not one of the biggest free-agent busts in team history. But more importantly, he's still the Jets' best corner and he needs to play like it. They'll also start Daryl Roberts and they signed Brian Poole to play the slot, but they won't inspire confidence. Also, there's no depth. This cornerback corps could range from passable to terrible, and it's all about whether Johnson can suddenly live up to his deal.
4. WR Jamison Crowder - The 26-year-old has been decent in his four NFL seasons, but not really a No. 1. He's been about a 65-catch, 800-yard receiver at best. But here's the thing: Adam Gase's offense is designed to really feature the slot receiver. It wasn't just that Jarvis Landry was the Dolphins' best receiver under Gase, it was that Landry was a perfect fit for Gase's scheme. That's the kind of opportunity Crowder has. Don't be surprised to see him get to 90 catches and top 1,000 yards. That's certainly what the Jets seem to be expecting.
3. RB Le'Veon Bell - The prize of the Jets' free agent class (whether Gase thinks they overpaid him or not) makes him one of the biggest keys to this season. They brought him in to transform the running game and be a weapon in the passing game too. Basically, his presence should take a lot of pressure off their young quarterback. But remember, he just took a year off in a contract dispute. The Jets are hoping he can regain his form quickly, but nobody knows for sure. If he doesn't, if he becomes a bust, the Jets are in a lot of trouble. If he is what he was with the Steelers, though, the Jets could be instant contenders.
2. DE Leonard Williams - No one has symbolized the way the Jets have underachieved on defense more in recent years than Williams, who was supposed to be a dominant pass rusher but became admittedly more known for "hidden production." That won't do anymore, especially with Gregg Williams vowing to turn him loose and Gase talking about how Williams can be unblockable at times. At 24, Williams needs to finally put it all together and be the player he was supposed to be - not just a decent lineman who does his job, but a guy who can wreck a game. That will be the difference between whether this defense underachieves again or becomes one of the more dangerous defenses in the league.
1.QB Sam Darnold - The kid, simply, is everything to the franchise. They waited so long for their franchise quarterback, their savior, and now they're convinced they have it in this 22-year-old California kid. He was rookie-like for most of last year, showing flashes of brilliance. But at the end of the season, after he returned from injury, he showed maturity and growth. That's what Gase sees now - a confident quarterback who isn't fooled by the same things that fooled him last year. He says he feels comfortable and it shows. Gase has never had a young quarterback like this to lead his offense. He is almost literally drooling over the opportunity. He believes Darnold will be a star, and pretty quickly. Whether he is or not will be the single biggest determining factor of how the 2019 season goes.