FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The season is history and so is the year. Adios, 2017.
It was a tumultuous year for the New York Jets, who gutted their roster, said goodbye to some old favorites and embarked on a long, painful rebuilding process that resulted in a 5-11 record. Again.
Now it’s on to Phase II.
After receiving a strong commitment from ownership, general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles have the power and resources to end the Jets’ seven-year playoff drought. They have an estimated $100 million in cap room, plus seven draft picks, including three in the top 49.
If they make smart football decisions, there’s no reason why the 2018 Jets can’t be the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars. A few suggestions on how to make it happen:
Double down on quarterbacks: With very little money invested in quarterbacks, the Jets are in position to make two significant additions. They should acquire a starting-caliber veteran and add a young arm from the draft, covering their short- and long-term needs.
The Philadelphia Eagles did it that way in 2016. As it turned out, they didn’t need the veterans because they drafted Carson Wentz, an impact player from Day 1. Can the Jets get that lucky?
With the sixth pick, the Jets could have a shot at one of the four highest-rated quarterbacks -- Sam Darnold (if he declares), Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield. It’s a talented quartet, but we’re not talking about any can’t-miss prospects. The Jets like Allen, but he may not last until six. Maccagnan, beholden to his best-player-available philosophy, won’t reach if he can help it, which makes it imperative they have an experienced signal-caller in place before the draft.
Alex Smith, Tyrod Taylor and Case Keenum are the names being discussed at One Jets Drive. There’s interest in Kirk Cousins, who will command the biggest contract on the free-agent market, but some in the organization wonder if ownership will open the vault. Josh McCown is an option -- Bowles loves him -- but he’ll be 39 next season and may retire. Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty aren't considered viable options.
Fix the offense: Let’s be honest, Maccagnan has done a poor job on this side of the ball. Only one of his draft picks started on offense – right tackle Brandon Shell. He deserves credit for unearthing wide receiver Robby Anderson, a former undrafted free agent, but there’s an overall dearth of talent.
The Jets averaged 18.6 points per game, mainly because of McCown’s heart and brain. You can't win with that number unless your defense resembles the '85 Chicago Bears. They haven’t had a top-10 scoring offense since 2008, when Brett Favre was the quarterback. They’ve been using first-round picks on defense since 2010, which defies all logic.
Aside from quarterback, the Jets need a center, a No. 1 running back, a No. 1 receiver and a tight end (if they don’t re-sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins). There was plenty of talent on the table in last year’s draft -- Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara were third-round picks -- but Maccagnan went in different directions, not getting much immediate bang for his buck.
Pittsburgh Steelers star Le'Veon Bell will be a free agent, and he'd be ideal in their West Coast offense because of his versatility.
Dump salary: Muhammad Wilkerson and Matt Forte need to go -- and they will. These are no-brainer moves that will create $14 million in cap room.
Wilkerson, a healthy scratch for the final three games, ruined a potentially great career in New York by shifting into cruise control for the past two years. He will be released before the third day of the league year (March 17), when his $16.8 million salary becomes fully guaranteed.
Forte was a warrior and a terrific locker-room guy, but he’s a 32-year-old running back with a bad knee and a $4 million cap charge. They need to get younger and faster at the position.
Cornerback Buster Skrine ($8.5 million) has the third-highest cap charge, but it would be a mistake to let him go. He’s their only starting-caliber corner under contract. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse finished with a team-high 65 catches, but he's not a lock to return because of a $5 million cap number. Remember, Quincy Enunwa, who missed the season with a neck injury, will be ready for training camp.
Find an edge rusher: When Maccagnan was hired, he said he wanted to create a pipeline of 3-4 outside linebackers. He has invested three draft picks in the position, none of whom has emerged as a pass-rushing threat -- Jordan Jenkins, Dylan Donahue (injured) and Lorenzo Mauldin (injured). Jenkins is a solid run defender, but they need a speed rusher who can draw double teams and create one-on-one matchups for Leonard Williams.
The good ones never get to free agency, so it's up to Maccagnan and his team of scouts to find a gem in the draft.
Corner the market: The Jets have a handful of corners under contract, but the only decent player is Skrine. Juston Burris has been a disappointment, and Morris Claiborne will be a free agent. Bowles needs man-to-man corners to play his press-man scheme. They should draft one and sign a free agent because their depth is an issue.