There has been a lot of focus on the New York Jets offense this offseason and rightfully so. After a pitiful end to the 2022 campaign, which saw the offense go without a touchdown for the last three games of the season, some major changes were needed.
The biggest change came at the quarterback position. Mike White, who was beloved by fans and teammates, left in free agency for the Miami Dolphins. Zach Wilson remains on the roster but he will be the backup to Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers will certainly boost this group’s production, but the supporting cast around him saw some changes as well. However, the group isn’t highly regarded by Bill Barnwell of ESPN. He put together a power ranking for the skill position groups around the league and the Jets came in 22nd.
That is an improvement from 2022, when they were 24th and 2021, when they were 30th. So, they are taking steps in the right direction, but there is still more work to be done. For now, reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, is the cream of the crop.
“For the Jets, it’s all about the class of 2022. Garrett Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year and produced upper-echelon wideout numbers with replacement-level quarterback play. His 1.92 yards per route run were in line with DK Metcalf and DJ Moore a year ago. Drops were a concern — Wilson put five balls on the ground — but he’s already a No. 1 receiver with the potential to be a superstar.”
The depth behind him was shaken up as Corey Davis and Denzel Mims are the only other returning receivers. Davis’ spot on the roster isn’t guaranteed as he has been a rumored cap casualty all offseason. Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb were all signed, replacing Braxton Berrios, Elijah Moore and Jeff Smith.
At the tight end spot, Conklin leads the way with fellow veteran C.J. Uzomah. Jeremy Rukert was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft but played only 46 snaps on offense and 101 on special teams as a rookie.
In the backfield, things are just as unsettled as behind Wilson. Breece Hall looks like the real deal but suffered an ACL injury last season and his timetable to return is still unknown. The Jets used a fifth-round pick on Israel Abanikanda out of Pittsburgh and bring back Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight as well.
It is easy to see why so many people are linking Dalvin Cook to the Jets, who was recently recruited by his old Minnesota Vikings teammate, Tyler Conklin. If Hall cannot return to form, Carter and Knight haven’t proven they can handle the load and banking on a fifth-round rookie is a risky proposition.
