New York Jets: 3 Things at top of 2020 offseason to-do list

1. Shore up the secondary

Gang Green is set at the safety position with Pro Bowler Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye (as long as he can stay healthy). What they need to improve (drastically) is the cornerback position. It left much to be desired in 2019.

Trumaine Johnson was a major free agent bust and Darryl Roberts and Arthur Maulet worked hard but they’re not elite corners. The Jets ranked 17th in pass defense last season, allowing 236.2 yards per game. They also ranked 15th in touchdown passes allowed (25) and tied for 17th in the league in interceptions (12). Something has to change.

Now is their opportunity either via free agency or the draft. An elite cornerback they should target this spring in free agency is Logan Ryan of the upstart Tennessee Titans, who are making quite a Super Bowl run presently.

The 29-year old corner is in his prime and registered four interceptions, four forced fumbles, 113 tackles and five sacks during the 2019 regular season. He is excellent in coverage, rushing the quarterback or helping stop the run in the box. Douglas should be very aggressive in trying to ink him to a Jets pact.

Depending on which way they want to go, first-round potential draft options include Kristian Fulton of LSU, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and C.J. Henderson of Florida. Later round possibilities include Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, among others.

An improved pass rush would also aid the secondary but on its own merit, the cornerback position needs a major upgrade. In the pass-happy world of the NFL, having a stout cornerback unit is a necessity not a luxury anymore.