2014 Record: 4-12
2015 Non Division opponents: NFC East, AFC South, Oakland, Cleveland
2014 in Review: The wheels finally fell off the Rex Ryan Express in 2014. After a week one victory, the Jets lost their next eight games and the season was over by the end of October. Two wins in their final three games saved the season from being an absolute failure. Geno Smith did not develop as hoped, and Michael Vick did not provide any spark. An anemic offense led to an overworked defense, which ultimately broke a lot more than it bent. The Jets 24th ranked defense was the worst of Rex Ryan’s tenure as head coach.
2015 Free Agency: The Jets offseason began the day after the season ended with the dismissal of both Coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik. While Ryan struggled in his final four seasons in New York, he at least got the team to two AFC Title Games. Idzik was a total failure as GM, and the Jets made the right move by punching out early. Former Texans scout Mike Maccagnan was brought in to be the new GM, and he got to work right away. First, he hired Todd Bowles as head coach. Bowles was highly sought after by many NFL teams after years of being the Defensive Coordinator in Arizona. This is a good hire, and will continue the defense first mantra that the Jets have. Then the headlines started. First, the trade for Brandon Marshall. Marshall slots in immediately as the Jets # 1 Wide Receiver. Once free agency started, Maccagnan began to clean up Idzik’s mistakes. Antonio Cromartie, who never should have been shown the door, was brought back into the fold. He will slot in as one cornerback, reuniting with his old CB buddy, Darrelle Revis. Revis’ option was not picked up by New England, and the Jets swopped in with a 5 year, 70M deal, $39 million guaranteed. The Jets gave up 31 pass TD’s as a defense last year, only two teams were worse than that. The air defense in NY will be much improved.
2015 Draft: The whole defense will be much improved because the Jets got a steal in the first round. Defensive End Leonard Williams, who many pundits called the best prospect in the draft, fell to the Jets at six overall. Williams’ impact will be felt right from the start, and will also help lessen the impact of Sheldon Richardson’s suspension. In the second round, the Jets selected Devin Smith, WR from Ohio State, in the hopes that he can develop into a vertical threat. The Jets haven’t been great at finding these players in the past (Stephen Hill rings a bell) but it’s a worthy gamble. Hill had 49 catches and 9 TD’s in his three year career at Georgia Tech before being drafted by the Jets. Smith had 12 touchdowns LAST SEASON, and 30 over a four year career. Even if he doesn’t have Percy Harvin or DeSean Jackson speed, Smith has proven a knack for finding the end zone. The Jets other big draft pick was QB Bryce Petty, who may get a look if Geno Smith doesn’t take the leap this season.
Player on the Hot Seat: After going 8-8 as a starter, Smith struggled last season, posting a 3-10 record. Smith did manage to cut down on the interceptions, but there wasn’t much else to write home about. In the ultimate garbage time game, week 17 against Miami, Smith had the best game of his career, posting a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating in a 37-24 victory. The Jets need to see that Smith if they want to contend this season. Veteran signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in as token competition to push Smith, but this is Geno’s job. However, the media and the fan base will be calling for Petty if the Jets get off to a slow start.
Players you want on your fantasy team: Brandon Marshall is the best talent on the Jets, but he no longer has Jay Cutler throwing him the ball. Cutler loved forcing the ball to Marshall, leading to a high volume of targets. The downgrade in quarterback, coupled with the general offensive principles in New York, mean Marshall will not be the bona fide top round pick he has been the past couple of seasons. That being said, he’s the receiver on the Jets that you do want. Erik Decker is a bye in replacement at best. As for the running back, none of the four on the roster scream must draft. Obviously, if one excels in the pre-season that changes things, but the Jets backfield has three headed monster written all over it. And a three headed monster of Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, and Zac Stacy is an insult to three headed monsters everywhere. In all honestly, the best fantasy asset on the Jets is the kicker, Nick Folk.
Season Prediction: The Jets schedule is not their friend. After a winnable game against the Browns to open the season, four of the Jet’s next five are against Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Miami (in London), and New England. Much like last year, the Jets season has a chance to get away in a hurry. The schedule, coupled with the tough division that includes the defending champion Patriots and the improved Miami Dolphins, means no playoffs for New York. SFTB prediction: 7-9