New York Jets: Previewing the 2018 offense ahead of Week 1
The New York Jets kick off their 2018 campaign this Monday night against the Detroit Lions in the Motor City. Here we preview Gang Green’s offensive unit.
It’s almost time. The New York Jets kick off their 2018 campaign this Monday night, Sept. 10 against the Detroit Lions in the Motor City. For the first time in many years there is a sense of excitement and optimism surrounding Gang Green. That undoubtedly is because there is a feeling that they finally have their franchise quarterback in place — their first since Joe Namath — in Sam Darnold.
How many wins that translates to this season remains to be seen. There will be bumps in the road. All rookies make mistakes. How the USC product develops in 2018 will be the most important aspect of the entire year.
With that being said, let’s take a look at New York shapes up on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
The Jets gave up a ton of draft capital to move up in order to select Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and we’ll see if they can start reaping the rewards immediately. He’s just 21 years old so mistakes will be made along the way. What really concerns me is Gang Green’s offensive line (more on that later).
The 6-3, 225-pounder has impressed New York’s coaching staff right from the start of rookie minicamp. He picked up the playbook quickly and enjoyed a strong preseason by completing 64 percent of his passes for two touchdowns with one interception.
The Capistrano Beach, CA native has looked poised in the pocket. He’s gone through his progressions quickly. He’s been mobile and he throws accurately on the run. Darnold looks like he’s ready. It’s his time. Jets fans can’t wait to see what he can do.
Veteran Josh McCown, who started 13 games last year, is now Darnold’s backup/mentor.
Running back
Gang Green ranked 19th in the league in rushing last season (106.4 yards per game). General manager Mike Maccagnan set out to improve that mark back in March by inking Isaiah Crowell to a free agent contract. The former Cleveland Browns halfback is expected to be their lead back on first and second down and also when goal line opportunities occur.
He’s powerful and effective in gaining yards after first contact. Crowell is just 25 years old and set a career high with 206 carries last year. He’s adept in picking up the blitz and is a decent pass receiver.
Eight-year Jets veteran Bilal Powell, now 29, will collect some carries as well (probably a 30-70 split with Crowell) but his forte is catching the ball out of the backfield, which could happen quite often with a rookie signal-caller. The Louisville product remains one of the top receivers as a halfback in the NFL.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Elijah McGuire (foot) begins the season on injured reserve. He’s eligible to return at midseason. Rookie and seventh round draft pick Trenton Cannon is third on the halfback depth chart while Lawrence Thomas handles fullback duties. Cannon has blazing speed but has to protect the football better.
Wide Receiver
Robby Anderson is looking to take the next step into premier wide receiver status after a breakout sophomore season in 2017 (63 catches, 941 yards, seven touchdowns). He is one of the fastest players on the team and is dynamic on post and go routes.
He needs to expand his route tree but expect Darnold to look for him on deep fly routes from time to time to keep defenses honest. Anderson may still be facing discipline or a possible suspension from the league for some of his well-chronicled off the field issues.
Jermaine Kearse (abdominal surgery) is expected to miss Week 1 so Quincy Enunwa should see an increase in targets. Enunwa missed all of 2017 following neck surgery and has looked good during preseason play. He excels out of the slot where he uses his physicality to gain a majority of his yards after the catch.
Newcomer Terrelle Pryor was a complete bust with the Redskins last season and the Jets are hoping he can regain most of his 2016 form with Cleveland (77-1,007-4). That could be asking a lot. Charone Peake and Andre Roberts round out the receiving corps.
Tight end
This is one of the weakest areas on the team. Eric Tomlinson is penciled in as the starter, mostly due to his blocking ability. As the season progresses, look for rookie Chris Herndon to become more of a factor (he has the most upside as a receiver). Jordan Leggett has been a disappointment to date while Neal Sterling is New York’s fourth tight end on the roster. The Jets have probably the worst tight end group in the entire NFL.
Offensive Line
This unit concerns me a great deal. Heading into the opener their starting lineup looks like this: Kelvin Beachum (LT), James Carpenter (LG), Spencer Long (C), Brian Winters (RG) and Brandon Shell (RT). This quintet doesn’t exactly fill Jets fans with confidence.
Beachum has had issues with his knee all summer and Winters needs to show he is fully recovered from abdominal surgery at the end of 2017. Long, signed as a free agent from the Redskins back in March, needs to anchor the line and stay away from the injury bug (quad) that limited him to seven games in 2017. Carpenter had a poor season last year while Shell showed signs of progress last season. It was about time.
dark. Next. 20 Bold predictions for NFL Week 1
Brent Qvale looks overwhelmed as Beachum’s backup and Dakota Dozier (LG), Jonotthan Harrison (C) and Ben Braden (RG) provide average quality depth at best. Darnold may be running for his life, so to speak, this season and one has to hope that he doesn’t get injured playing behind such a mediocre line. It’s a real concern.