7 Players the Jets Need to Replace by Next Season
Their 1-4 record puts them into desperation mode, but the New York Jets are somehow playing worse football than their putrid record would indicate. After spending nearly a full game trying to cross midfield, the Jets are just trying to be competitive before they start winning games again.
When a team reaches these extreme lows, changes are inevitable. Barring a massive turnaround, the Jets have little reason to keep such a putrid roster intact for next season.
Here are players the Jets need to replace (or at least demote) by the start of next season.
Kyle Wilson
1 of 7
A pending free agent in 2015, the Jets are counting down the days until they no longer have to trot out Kyle Wilson as their starting slot cornerback.
A former first-round pick out of Boise State, Wilson never lived up to expectations despite Rex Ryan's refusal to give up hope that he was always on the verge of becoming a star player:
"Rex Ryan on Kyle Wilson: "I think this will be his finest year." (Couldn't tell whether his fingers were crossed when he said it.) #nyj
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 18, 2014"
Wilson has hardly lived up to the lofty expectations set by Ryan. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Wilson has allowed a passer rating of 131.7 when targeted.
Wilson is just one of many issues in the Jets secondary and was likely going to be replaced sooner or later by a regime that had no hand in drafting him. The fact that his contract expires in a matter of months only makes it easier to start from scratch at the slot cornerback position.
Brian Winters
2 of 7
Parting ways with a high draft pick—especially when used on an interior offensive lineman—is never a decision a general manager wants to make. However, the longer Brian Winters is in the starting lineup at left guard, the more danger Geno Smith (or Michael Vick) is in.
Neither Smith nor Vick were successful because of the leaky offensive line, in large part thanks to the continued ineptitude of Winters. According to Pro Football Focus, he had allowed seven hurries, two hits and a sack entering this game.
A former tackle at Kent State, Winters is having a difficult time adjusting to the mental aspects of playing a new position. He missed several blitz pick-ups that forced Smith and Vick out of the pocket before they had a chance to survey the field.
The Jets do not have to wait to replace Winters: They have a young potential replacement on the roster in Oday Aboushi. Drafted in the same year as Winters (two rounds later), Aboushi played well enough in the preseason to warrant consideration for the starting job.
It is obvious that changes need to be made along the offensive line to keep the quarterbacks upright. It is unknown whether Aboushi can be the long-term answer, but he cannot be much worse.
David Nelson
3 of 7
Receiver David Nelson can be a useful player in the proper role. Problem is, Nelson is being forced into being a full-time starter when he is nothing more than a rotational role player. Despite his increased role in a depleted Jets receiving corps, Nelson has managed just six catches for 75 yards in five games.
The taller, lanky receiver is best used almost exclusively in red-zone situations, but he is (predictably) struggling to get any kind of separation working against starting cornerbacks while getting the attention starting receivers attract.
The Jets are counting on not having to lean on Nelson nearly as much when Eric Decker finally returns to the lineup in a full capacity. However, if the Jets have learned anything in Decker's absence, it is that they cannot rely on the current depth they have to carry them through any stretch of time without seeing their pass offense come to a standstill.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Dawan Landry
4 of 7
It is easy to blame Dawan Landry for some of the issues in the secondary because he does not make many "splash" plays, but Landry has quietly been one of the most dependable members of the defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he had allowed just six receptions entering Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Landry may not be the problem in the secondary, but he is not the solution, either.
However, the Jets are still struggling to generate turnovers, even after using a first-round pick on fellow safety Calvin Pryor. Working on the final year of his contract, it only makes sense for the Jets to find a more dynamic presence in place of the steady 31-year-old veteran.
It is not out of the question for the Jets to retain Landry for one more season in a limited role because of his experience, but keeping him on as a starter would only maintain the secondary's average production.
Darrin Walls
5 of 7
It is hard to expect former undrafted free agent Darrin Walls to play any better than he has this season as a regular starter. For as much heat as the Jets secondary has taken this season, Walls has elevated his play to exceed expectations and limit the damage.
Walls played well enough to earn a full-time role as a starter when Dee Milliner returned, allowing Antonio Allen to move back to his natural position at safety.
However, Walls started to show cracks in his game against the San Diego Chargers, allowing a long reception to Malcom Floyd that opened the floodgates of scoring. He also missed several tackles, allowing running back Branden Oliver to have a monster game on the ground getting to the outside in open space.
Walls should not be benched immediately—he is still by far the Jets' best option at the position. However, this game was a reminder that the Jets will not be able to get away with this level of talent at cornerback over the long term. Walls is a serviceable player, but the Jets need to be better than "serviceable" on defense to win.
Willie Colon
6 of 7
Brian Winters is not the only offensive lineman struggling to keep Smith and Vick upright. Veteran guard Willie Colon has shown serious signs of decline as of late, turning in a particularly poor performance against the Chargers on Sunday.
Not only was he a member of an offensive line that struggled mightily in pass protection, but he helped himself stand out (in a bad way) with three penalties.
"Willie Colon on his 3 penalties: “U just can’t have them. ...I was upset, I was embarrassed by it. But I’ve got to clean it up.” #jets
— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) September 8, 2014"
Colon's job is not in immediate jeopardy, but he is hardly building a case for the Jets to stick with him beyond this season.
Working on a one-year contract, it is time to find a more reliable upgrade at this position. Not only has Colon's performance declined this year, but he is a constant injury risk—which is why the Jets waited until the last minute before re-signing him this offseason.
Saalim Hakim
7 of 7
Speedster Saalim Hakim had a strong enough preseason to steal the kick return job from veteran Jacoby Ford, but he has done little this season to justify the Jets' decision to go with the youngster.
Hakim is a bold kick returner, but to a fault. He returns far too many kicks that have no chance of breaching the 20-yard line. Take away his one long 44-yard return on the opening kickoff in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders, and Hakim has a return average below 20 yards.
With the Jets offense struggling as much as it is, losing "hidden" yards in the return game because of overeagerness can not be tolerated for much longer. Hakim has a lot of potential because of his great speed, but none of that matters if he is returning kicks from deep in his own end zone.
If Hakim keeps costing the Jets valuable field position, he may not find himself with a job by the end of the season.
Advanced statistics provided by ProFootballFocus.com (subscription required).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
