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Chris James: What Went Right with the Jets
First and foremost, the Jets won more than a quarter of their games. This was an accomplishment that not many analysts, including myself, thought the 2017 Jets would pull off with their preseason roster. The defense looked good throughout most of the season, as the addition of two stud safeties allowed for Todd Bowles to run his intended scheme. Rookies Jamal Adams & Marcus Maye were the Jets’ first two selections respectively and they didn’t disappoint.
The offensive side of the ball got much need leadership in journeyman quarterback Josh McCown. There were weeks when he looked like a top 10 caliber signal caller. The Jets also found a gem in wide receiver Robbie Anderson who continues to refine his skills as a viable starter. Value was added opposite of Anderson with the acquisition of Jermaine Kearse, a veteran with a Superbowl ring.
The thing that went the most “right” for the Jets was how the players performed for head coach, Todd Bowles. There were rumblings of him being fired if this didn’t go well in New York. Instead we go a team that laid down in exactly zero contest during the 2017 season.
Follow Chris on Twitter @cjflorida9
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Gene Clemons: What Went Wrong for the Jets
The Jets came into the season with no hopes of the playoffs because of the decision made at quarterback. They decided to go with the guy who has been given every opportunity to 
be a starter in the league and failed, a guy who’s probably a career backup, and a guy who looks like a quarterback but plays like someone who should not be in the league.
Josh McCown played okay for Josh McCown. But inevitably, anyone watching can tell that he’s a guy who’s better suited as a stopgap rather than a solution. When he injured himself and they turned to Bryce Petty, it was evident that he was competent enough to be in the league, however, not talented enough to be a starter. Third string quarterback in Penn State alum Christian Hackenberg, was clearly so bad that the coaching staff felt no need to even give him minutes in a game.
The Jets won five games despite this obvious fail by its front office, which begs the question, would they have been a playoff team in a rather weak AFC if they have pursued a starting quarterback? How can the Jets fan base have any confidence that they will turn this high draft pick into a franchise quarterback, when they have been unable to do so over the last few years when there have been plenty to choose from?
Follow Gene on Twitter @geneclemons
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Brandon Howard: Grading the Jets Rookies
New York Jets B
The Jets found a gem in first-round safety Jamal Adams who will be a perennial Pro Bowler. They took safety Marcus Maye in the second round who produced 78 tackles and two interceptions, and is seemingly a nice compliment for Adams. New York also found a talented running back when they selected Elijah McGuire in the sixth round. Outside of that, the only other rookie who received significant playing time is undrafted long snapper Thomas Hennessy out of Duke.
Follow Brandon on Twitter @bhoward_81
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Turron Davenport: Where Do the Jets Go From Here?
The Jets wisely brought back Todd Bowles to be their head coach. He wasn’t given much to work with on offense but still fielded a team that competed every week.
Offensively, they need to find a quarterback as well as other playmakers on offense. Robbie Anderson established himself as a legitimate playmaker. Complimenting him with another
receiver in the draft or free agency would be a good move. They should look at adding a player to work the slot such as Jarvis Landry or Jordan Matthews.
A running back needs to be added as well. Carlos Hyde would be a solid addition via free agency. Before all of that happens, they need to solidify the quarterback position.
Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg simply aren’t the answer. At 38 years old, Josh McKown doesn’t have many years left but should be kept around regardless of whether or they get a quarterback with the No. 6 pick.
If they do draft a quarterback, he can compete with McCown for the starting role and eventually beat him out. If they don’t, he can bridge the gap until they find a quarterback to build around in the future. It will also be important to add to the offensive line. A player such as left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor from Western Michigan or Martinas Rankin from Mississippi State could be an option in the top of the second round.
The defense is in really good shape. Being as though Bowles has a defensive background, his focus is on the defense. The secondary is in decent shape, led by safeties Jamaal Adams and Marcus Maye. They’ll need to look at cornerback in the draft and should strongly consider bringing back free agent Morris Claiborne.
It’s all about playing complementary football in New York. They need to get the pieces in place to win with either a young quarterback via the draft or one that can’t be expected to win such as McCown.
Follow Turron on Twitter @TDavenport_NFL
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What We Thought About the Jets Entering the 2017 Season
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The defense improved against the run with the addition of Domata Peko Sr. A unit that was bottom ten in 2016 moved to 5th in 2017. The highlight came in week two, holding the Dallas Cowboys to 40 yards on the ground. Zeke Elliott had a career low output with 8 yards on 9 carries. The passing defense continued to be dominant as Harris Jr. & Talib proved to be one of the best duos in the league. We also saw the emergence of Justin Simmons as a big play safety. He looks like another stud to add to the Denver no fly zone.
ineffectiveness.
Much like the Oakland Raiders, the Broncos also got little contribution from its rookies. Garett Bolles made the move to left tackle and played well in the final quarter of the season. Bolles plays with a mean streak that shows up in his willingness to finish blocks. The Broncos also got help in the return game from wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who was the Broncos 5th round selection. Players like wide receiver Carlos Henderson and tight end Jake Butt were essentially redshirted in 2017 and were not able to help the team in their rookie seasons due to injury.
A trade was made sending Phillip Dorsett to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback, Jacoby Brissett. Brissett did an adequate job in his first start against the Cardinals nearly pulling off an overtime victory. The next was his best of the season posting a QBR of 94.3 on the way to a 31 – 28 victory over the Browns. A rookie RB also emerged as Marlon Mack flashed the talent that got him drafted in the 4th round. We didn’t get to see much of Mack as the Colts made a point to get Frank Gore as many yards as possible near the twilight of his career. Mack possesses the speed and quickness that the next HC will covet.
with Jacoby Brissett. The problem was early on they treated him like a stopgap guy and by the time they realized Luck wasn’t returning, it was too late to make a playoff run.
Malik Hooker has Ed Reed potential and he displayed his range as a center-fielding safety prior to tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cornerback Quincy Wilson is a smart player whose football instincts and football intelligence make up for what he might lack in raw athleticism. The Colts fourth-round pick is now a member of the Cleveland Browns but with their second fourth-round pick they selected running back Marlon Mack who has the potential to be an every-down running back in the NFL. Fifth-round pick Nate Hairston was the surprise of the bunch posting 34 tackles and intercepting Marcus Marriota in Week 6.
first round pick and more?
The Giants were in a situation where they needed to produce immediately (Superbowl or bust) or completely blowup the situation. Anything resultant that differed from those two scenarios was a negative for the Giants. Now they will begin the season with a healthy OBJ, a player that is likely to get a new contract done in the offseason. The team also has the chance to acquire a GM that will hire a coach that fits his vision. The Giants also have the #2 pick locked up. The Giants can bring in a quarterback of the future and alleviate themselves of Eli Manning’s contract. They also have talented, young players in tight end Evan Engram and running back Wayne Gallman.
would signal top five draft pick for almost any team in the league, so there’s no surprise the Giants will find themselves picking there. There was such hope for this group coming into the season with talents like Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall as a one-two punch; they would have been a handful for any defense.
If the Giants’ quarterbacks were given more time to throw the football, rookie tight end Evan Engram could’ve easily gone for over 1,000 yards on the season. Despite playing in less than ideal circumstances as a rookie, Engram still managed to put up 722 yards and six touchdowns on 64 receptions. Second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson figures to be a entrenched as the Giants starting defensive tackle for years to come as a result of his ability to remain stout against the run. After Engram and Tomlinson, the Giants got little help from its rookies as selections of quarterback Davis Webb and running back Wayne Gallman did not pay dividends in 2017.
has already served notice by releasing right tackle Bobby Hart and Ereck Flowers could be next.
The 2017 draft went the well as they grabbed three 1st round picks. A franchise caliber QB was picked 52nd overall in Deshone Kizer. The 21-year-old out of Notre Dame has the requisite size, arm strength and athleticism that NFL GMs drool over. The Browns added depth at every level with ten total selections.
Jackson decided to bench Kizer for a worse option, then the trade-for-AJ McCarron-that-wasn’t ensured the Browns would once again be the laughingstock of the league.
is still raw but his athleticism is palpable and will pay dividends in the near future. Jabrill Peppers flashed his athleticism not only on defense, but in the return game, while the embattled Deshone Kizer showed more than enough poise in an untenable/ unenviable situation to warrant another chance with better surrounding parts in 2018. The Browns also acquired two talented defensive linemen in defensive tackles Caleb Brantley and Larry Ogunjobi who will team up with Garrett to form a formidable defensive front for the foreseeable future.
They will have two of the first four selections in the 2018 NFL Draft which will help them add talent to the roster. The blueprint has been established by the Eagles, Cowboys, and Rams…give a young, talented QB weapons.