New York Jets: Playoffs more than just one year away

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets drops back during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets drops back during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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Many people think the New York Jets are one year away from being a playoff contender. With the offensive line issues, they are likely much further off.

For most of the offseason, I was trumpeting the New York Jets as dark horses to win the AFC East. I was dead wrong. They’re not even a playoff team, and they won’t be until the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified.

According to many in the know, the Jets have a lot of cap space for 2019. It ranges from $85-90 million, depending on the source of information. Having the money is great, but you need two things for free agents to be the pieces that put you over the top. First, they have to want to come to New York. And second, they have to be available.

The Jets have a problem. Some free agent offensive linemen may want to come to East Rutherford, but the depth of talent on the free agent market for offensive linemen is slim. So, they’re going to have to build the foundation of their offensive line through the draft.

The Jets need to upgrade all five positions on the line. That means it’s not a one offseason fix. They’re going to need to focus on the offensive line in the 2019 and 2020 NFL Drafts and hope they can hit on good ones in the middle of the draft.

The Jets will have to do some maneuvering in the 2019 draft like they did in 2018. In order to improve the line, they will need to end up with an early second-round pick or, like they did in 2006, end up with two first-round picks and draft two offensive linemen. Then they will have to hit in the middle of that draft or hope to land another quality lineman in 2020.

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The offensive line should be in the midst of a complete rebuild, not just piecemealing it together. It’s going to take some time, but if they do it right, it can be done over the next two offeseasons.