With the pre-season in the books I thought we should take a look and see how the Jets faired at each position.
Quarterbacks: Grade: B-
With Geno out after the punch heard around the world, I like the way Fitzpatrick has looked. Let’s be honest, the Harvard grad will never be mistaken for a franchise QB but you have to at the very least be optimistic about his ability to hold the fort until we can locate the franchise QB we have been seeking for 5 decades..
I think we saw Bryce Petty improve each week and I think it will be fun to watch him develop over the next few years.
Flynn and Johnson are 2 veterans fighting for one spot. Both looked decent playing against the Eagles second and third units respectively.
Running Backs: Grade B+
Chris Ivory is one of my favorites to have a big year. If he can stay healthy I can see 1200+ yards and a nice handful of TD’s.
Bilal Powell looked very good in limited action. God knows he is coming in with fresh legs after barely touching the ball last season. I feel confident with him as our back up and I really feel he can provide some receptions coming out of the backfield.
Zac Stacy and Daryl Richardson can and should both play in this league. I will be curious to see which one will make the team. Small possibility they could try to keep both players but ultimately once Ridley returns the Jets will have to make a tough decision.
Wide Receivers: Grade B+
Dare I say for the first time in a very long time that the Jets are deep at WR? The duo of Marshall and Decker are the best tandem the Jets have had since Keyshawn and Chrebet.
The battle at WR begins at the WR3 spot. Kerley is the early favorite but you have to love the way Enunwa and Owusu have played. Even Shaq Evans and Walter Powell have shown great ability. When the Jets trim their roster, they will have no choice but to cut a WR who can play. Just think, the depth will get even better when Smith gets healthy.
Tight End: Grade D
With Amaro on IR Jeff Cumberland will get yet another chance to emerge as the teams top TE. Kellen Davis will make the team as blocking TE and Wes Saxton has had a decent camp but is a top candidate to lose a roster spot should the Jets be able to upgrade the position before the start of the season. He would be a good Practice Squad candidate.
Offensive Line: Grade B
Our starting line has some ability. Colon won the RG spot and should have a better season than last year. I love the addition of James Carpenter at LG he is clearly an upgrade against what we rolled out at that position last season. Ferguson and Mangold are mainstays as long as they stay healthy. If there is one thing about the O Line that worries me it is the depth. If the starters stay healthy, the Jets could be poised for a good year on offense.
Defensive Line: Grade B+
By far the deepest position on our roster, the D line took a little hit with the Richardson suspension. Leonard Williams had a small scare with a minor knee injury in the Giants game but should be ready for next Sunday. Mo Wilkerson was slowed by a hamstring injury but it looks like its nothing to worry about. This D line when at full strength will be very exciting to watch.
Linebackers: Grade C +
Other than WR this might be the most interesting position to watch come cut down day. I was most impressed by Trevor Rielly. I think he played well enough to make the team. Lorenzo Mauldin’s development will be the most interesting story line to watch.
Secondary: Grade B+
Revis and Cromartie are…well.. Revis and Cromartie. We know what to expect from them. How will Calvin Pryor, Marcus Gilchrist and Buster Skrine play will be the key for this secondary being good and being elite. The depth in the secondary is pretty good. Dexter McDougle, Marcus Williams and Darrin Walls are all on the roster bubble but will provide some decent depth at the position should they survive the 53. If Dee Millner bounces back from his injury it will be interesting to see how long a leash the Jets will have on the former 1st round pick.
Coaching Staff: Grade B+
The Jets have clearly improved from one week to the next at the start of the Todd Bowles regime. The offense under Chan Gailey is the key to the Jets making a playoff run this season.
Front Office: Grade A
When was the last time you looked at the Jets roster and thought each player had a good chance to make the team? I think Mike Maccagnan has done a terrific job of creating competition at every position. He and Todd Bowles will have their hands full on cut down day. For the first time in a very long time, I feel the Jets are in great hands.