2019 was an up and down year for the Jets. Losing Sam Darnold led to a 1-7 start and landed Adam Gase on the hot seat in just his first season. Gang green would turn the page and finish 6-2 to close out the season. The 2020 offseason followed that up and down theme. Started with a rebuilding of the offensive line and then culminated in the trade of All-Pro Jamal Adams to the Seahawks.
So where does this leave the Jets? They now have to rely on their young core to continue the progress they made at the end of 2019. They do have veterans that are more than capable of holding their own. Guys like Le’Veon Bell, who has stepped up as a leader in his short time in Florham Park. Avery Williamson, Jamison Crowder, Steve McLendon are all players that are good enough to contribute on a winning team.
But the difference will be the young players. Mekhi Becton and Denzel Mims were drafted in 2020, but they will more likely than not be day 1 starters. Quinnen Williams can be a huge difference maker if he can give similar production from his days at Alabama.
Of course, this team will go as far as Sam Darnold can take them. The highly touted QB from USC has been given much praise from former players such as Tony Romo and Kurt Warner. His ability is there, but can he hone it to bring the Jets to their first playoff berth since 2010?
Let’s take a look at the Jets 2019 season, 2020 offseason, and what lies ahead in 2020.
2019 Team Ranks
| Total Offense | 32nd (4368 yards) |
| Passing Offense | 29th (3111 yards) |
| Rushing Offense | 31st (1257 yards) |
| Total Defense | 7th (5170 yards allowed) |
| Passing Defense | 17th (3779 yards allowed) |
| Rushing Defense | 2nd (1391 yards allowed) |
| PPG | 17.3 |
| PPG Allowed | 22.4 |
| Offensive Line Ranks | |
| PFF | 28th |
| Football Outsiders (Run Block) | 31st |
| Football Outsiders (Pass Block) | 30th |
Coaching Staff Changes
No major coaching changes
Offseason Additions
| Connor McGovern C |
| Bradley McDougald FS |
| George Fant OT |
| Greg Van Roten OG |
| Breshad Perriman WR |
| Pierre Desir CB |
| Patrick Onwuasor LB |
| Frank Gore RB |
| Josh Andrews C |
| Quincy Wilson CB |
| Joe Flacco QB |
Offseason Losses
| Jamal Adams SS |
| Robby Anderson WR |
| Brandon Shell OT |
| Tom Compton OG |
| Darryl Roberts CB |
| Maurice Canady CB |
| Brandon Copeland OLB |
| Brent Qvale RT |
| Trumaine Johnson CB |
| Brian Winters OG |
2020 NFL Draft
| Round 1 (11) – Mekhi Becton OT Louisville |
| Round 2 (59) – Denzel Mims WR Baylor |
| Round 3 (68) – Ashytn Davis S California |
| Round 3 (79) – Jabari Zuniga Edge Florida |
| Round 4 (120) – La’Mical Perine RB Florida |
| Round 4 (125) – James Morgan QB Florida International |
| Round 4 (129) – Cameron Clark G Charlotte |
| Round 5 (158) – Bryce Hall CB Virginia |
| Round 6 (191) – Braden Mann P Texas A&M |
2020 Schedule with record vs opponents since 2017
| Week 1 – at Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET CBS | 3-3 |
| Week 2 – vs San Francisco 49ers 1 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 3 – at Indianapolis Colts 4:05 PM ET CBS | 1-0 |
| Week 4 – vs Denver Broncos 8:20 PM ET NFL Network (TNF) | 1-1 |
| Week 5 – vs Arizona Cardinals 1 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 6 – at Los Angeles Chargers 4:05 PM ET CBS | 0-1 |
| Week 7 – vs Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET CBS | 3-3 |
| Week 8 – at Kansas City Chiefs 1 PM ET CBS | 1-0 |
| Week 9 – vs New England Patriots 8:15 PM ET ESPN (MNF) | 0-6 |
| Week 10 – at Miami Dolphins 4:05 PM ET CBS | 2-4 |
| Week 11 – BYE | |
| Week 12 – vs Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET CBS | 2-4 |
| Week 13 – vs Las Vegas Raiders 1 PM ET CBS | 1-1 |
| Week 14 – at Seattle Seahawks 4:05 PM ET CBS | 0-0 |
| Week 15 – at Los Angeles Rams TBD | 0-0 |
| Week 16 – vs Cleveland Browns TBD | 1-2 |
| Week 17 – at New England Patriots 1 PM ET CBS | 0-6 |
Miscellaneous Notes
| 3 new starters on the offensive line |
| Avery Williamson returns after missing all of 2019 |
| 2020 was Joe Douglas’ first offseason as Jets GM |
| 2019 Offense Play Selection |
| Pass – 59.9 |
| Rush – 40.1 |
| PFF Top 5 Graded Players in 2019 |
| 1. Folorunso Fatukasi NT 81.6 |
| 2. Steve McLendon NT 81.3 |
| 3. Brian Poole CB 79.0 |
| 4. Marcus Maye FS 74.5 |
| 5.Tarell Basham OLB 73.1 |
| Players who opted out of 2020 season |
| CJ Mosley LB |
| Leo Koloamatangi C |
| Josh Doctson WR |
Biggest Question: Will Sam Darnold live up to his hype and break out in 2020?
Bottom Line: Overall, I believe the Jets have a solid team. Going out and getting a guy like Jadeveon Clowney to fill the edge rush need could bring a defense that was already top 10 to the next level. Big issue I see is the tough schedule, as they will have to play both Super Bowl teams from last year. I see the Jets in the playoff hunt towards the end of the season but missing out by a game or two.
Predicted Win Range: 7-9
