Top 5 Issues the New York Jets Need to Address This Offseason
An already eventful offseason for the New York Jets has not yet included the assessment of numerous roster issues that the team will need to address to compete in the AFC East in 2015.
A new regime has been put into place for the team that ranked last in the NFL in total offensive yards (2,946) in 2014.
First-year general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles are presented with several avenues that can help provide solutions. So how do the Jets prioritize which issues to rectify? First, we'll take a look at the financial situation New York is in to pursue players in free agency.
Luckily for Gang Green, there are various opportunities to build at spots like quarterback, cornerback and wide receiver with the NFL draft and the free-agency period quickly approaching.
The Jets have an abundant amount of money they are required to spend this offseason, according to the NFL's "89-percent rule," noted by ESPN New York's Rich Cimini.
"By rule, the New York Jets must spend a lot of money. They have no choice. There's something called the "89-percent rule," which mandates that teams spend 89 percent of their salary-cap dollars over a four-year period -- 2013 to 2016.
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As you might have guessed, the Jets have some serious catching up to do. According to the NFLPA, they spent only 81.16 percent the last two years, having doled out the following cash totals:
2013: $101,549,147
2014: $106,230,662
Last year's cap was $133 million. This year's cap is expected to be $143 million or slightly higher. Next year it will increase again. So, according to the NFLPA, the Jets have to spend an average of about $141 million over the next two seasons to be in compliance with the 89-percent rule.
Right now, they have a cash payroll of $84.1 million for 2015, according to overthecap.com.
The Jets' front office will have to open the checkbooks when free agency begins, and the sixth overall pick in the draft on April 30 will provide another opportunity to acquire a player of the future.
Which positions should the Jets look to build at first? Click through for the top five issues that New York should address in order in the weeks ahead.
Honorable Mention: Who Can Provide Depth for the Jets at Running Back?
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The New York Jets took the first step in revamping their backfield by letting veteran Chris Johnson walk this offseason. The former Tennessee Titan, who ran for over 2,000 yards in 2009, was simply inefficient in green and white.
Ironically, the combination of Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell added up to 2,280 yards, which was good for third in the NFL in 2014. Ivory carried the bunch with 821 yards and six touchdowns.
Powell is expected to sign elsewhere come free agency, according to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini. This leaves New York in need of a weapon to accompany the Jets' leading rusher in the backfield.
"To the public, Jets running back Bilal Powell isn't a high-profile pending free agent, but he's generating buzz in league circles. I spoke to coaches from two teams that described Powell as an underrated talent who will draw interest on the open market."
A player who has publicly raved about Jets new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey is free agent C.J. Spiller.
"His offense is going to be very creative," Spiller told Sirius XM NFL Radio. "He's going put his players in the best situations to win matchups. Just a humble guy. First class. Goes about his business the right way. He's going to treat his men like men."
While the flash and highlights of Spiller's years in college at Clemson stand out, the halfback has not had a stable career at the pro level. Spiller has just two touchdowns in the previous pair of seasons in Buffalo.
The running back who played under Gailey with the Bills for three years has been injury-ridden since he has entered the NFL. Spiller ran for 300 yards in nine games played last season.
The Jets should pursue more established backs on the free-agent market, such as Mark Ingram or Ahmad Bradshaw, and let Spiller scamper back to the divisional opponents. Any of these options would better suit New York's run-heavy offense.
Will New York Stick with David Harris at Middle Linebacker?
2 of 6New York's inside linebacker situation all depends on if the club wants to bring back David Harris as the play-caller at middle linebacker. The team has already picked up the options to keep accomplished linebackers Jason Babin and Calvin Pace on the outside spots.
The Jets may have to compete with other teams to bring back Harris, who had 123 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season.
The Bears, Falcons and Bills are all in the hunt for Harris, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins have also shown interest.
While the Jets are expected to pursue re-signing Harris, it would be a mistake to overpay the middle linebacker like New York did in 2011. Harris collected $36 million for his previous four-year deal.
The competition expected from other teams may require a costly offer from the Jets to bring back Harris.
An eye-opening player who would come cheaper and fit into Bowles' system is A.J. Hawk. The Green Bay Packers released Hawk on Wednesday after nine seasons with the team. The 31-year-old would fit well alongside fellow veteran linebackers Pace and Babin.
A player that the Jets can pursue in the later rounds of the draft is Stephone Anthony of Clemson. Anthony had 69 tackles and compiled 10.5 tackles for a loss last season with the Tigers. The prospect developed against ACC opponents and proved he has potential to become a starter at the pro-level.
Can the Jets Strengthen the Offensive Line for 2015?
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New York's offensive struggles last season should not be pinned all on Geno Smith. What the average fan won't regard was how the poor performance at right and left guard added to the young quarterback's struggles in 2014.
The offensive line allowed 47 sacks for the third consecutive season. If the Jets want their passing game to prosper, additions will need to be made to protect whoever the quarterback may be.
All-pro lineman Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are entering the later years of their careers and clearly need some assistance on the line going forward. The two have played together since both were selected in the 2006 draft by New York.
Oday Aboushi is a younger guard on the left side who showed stints of promise for the Jets last season. The 23-year-old started 10 games and will continue to improve next season as his games continue.
While the performance of the Willie Colon and Breno Giacomini benefited the rushing attack, the two have struggled to protect the quarterback from the pass rush. The Jets would be smart to let Willie Colon walk, as he is due to for a new contract this offseason.
A possibility could be to move Giacomini over to guard from his current right tackle position. The veteran and former Super Bowl champion can play multiple positions on the line. This gives New York the possibility of finding a replacement at either position.
The top target on the free-agent market at guard is Mike Iupati. Iupati will come costly as he is regarded as one of the top linemen in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers are letting the 27-year-old test the market, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN.
If New York chooses to leave Giacomini at his current position, the Jets could go after a cheaper option in Orlando Franklin. The former member of the Denver Broncos succeeded last season as a member of Peyton Manning's complex system and is a better option than Colon at the position.
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Will the Jets Pursue a Wide Receiver in Free Agency?
4 of 6The New York Jets are desperate for a wideout to work with last year's offseason acquisition Eric Decker. Decker has proved to be much more effective in a system where he is the second option wide receiver from his days in Denver.
Percy Harvin doesn't look to be Decker's long-term companion on the receiving core in New York. Per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Harvin will not take a pay cut to remain with Gang Green.
A name that stands out in the NFL draft is former Heisman candidate Amari Cooper from Alabama. Cooper is expected to be available at the sixth pick. The Jets couldn't go wrong pursuing the electric 20-year-old wide out.
Cooper had 1,727 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide. He provides a big-play option for any team, as he averaged nearly 14 yards-per-catch in his sophomore season in the SEC.
Many of the top free-agent wide receiver targets are most likely returning to their old teams. Per Philly.com's Les Bowen, Jeremy Maclin is optimistic about returning to the Philadelphia Eagles. It's also a safe bet that Demaryius Thomas will receive a franchise tag from the Denver Broncos, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports.
The Jets can still find their man in the strong wide receiver free-agent class come March 10. Randall Cobb is a costly top-end option that New York can absolutely still afford. Cobb's ability to work alongside Jordy Nelson could be comparable to working with the athletic abilities of Decker.
Could the Jets Bring Back Revis and Cromartie at Cornerback?
5 of 6The NFL has become a pass-first league.
This proved to be a problem for the New York Jets cornerbacks, who allowed 31 touchdowns last season. Only the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins allowed more passing scores.
The Jets are not expected to bring back cornerback Kyle Wilson according to Newsday's Kimberley Martin. New York will cut ties with the former first-round pick from Boise State who struggled to contain slot receivers at the NFL level.
Martin also noted the questionable health of some of the younger corners in the Jets' system.
"One of coach Todd Bowles' priorities is shoring up the secondary. It's unclear how healthy Dee Milliner (Achilles) and Dexter McDougle (ACL) will be after undergoing surgery last year."
It's time for New York to spend money at this secondary position, and it's not be a bad idea to consider offering a couple of former Jets the chance to return to the Meadowlands.
Darrelle Revis proved to be worthy of consideration after his performance in the NFL playoffs for the New England Patriots. A shutdown corner has the ability to carry a defense to the Superbowl. We have seen this from Revis and Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks.
Any smart Jets fan would welcome Revis back to New York with open arms in 2015.
Antonio Cromartie showed he still has some play left in him as a member of Bruce Arians' defense in Arizona. So why wouldn't Bowles—the former defensive coordinator in Arizona—bring the seasoned cornerback to play for his defense?
Cromartie is oversized at the position and has the ability to match up with long wideouts and even tight ends. Brian Costello of the New York Post reported that Cromartie never wanted to leave the Jets in the first place.
“My door is always open to returning,” Cromartie told Costello on Wednesday. “Everybody knows I didn’t want to leave. I’m going to keep my door open and see what happens.”
Who Will Be the Quarterback in 2015?
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A team can only go as far as their quarterback can take them. In 2014 the combination of Geno Smith, Michael Vick and Matt Simms led New York to just four wins.
While the team had significant problems at other positions, the Jets will not compete with the defending Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots if a replacement is not found at the most important position in football.
As stated previously, the Jets had the worst passing offense in the league last season. It's now up to Maccagnan and Bowles to decide if it is time to give up Geno Smith. ESPN New York's Rich Cimini still thinks the Jets are committed to working with the former West Virginia product.
After Smith's 34 interceptions in two seasons, it's tough to understand why the Jets wouldn't pursue another option.
The NFL has become a quarterback-driven league, and this has been evident by the Jets' shortcomings in the past four seasons. Unfortunately, New York will not find an elite quarterback in the free-agent class of 2015.
Before Josh McCown signed with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, it was reported that the former free agent was on the Jets' radar, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.
Lower-cost options like McCown, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kyle Orton will not be enough to bring a winning season back to New York. The best place to find the player for the future at quarterback will, in fact, be in the NFL draft.
New York's positive financial situation should not be approached to just fill a hole with the average player like McCown. The team should rebuild for the future, and at this position there is only one place to do that.
If Jameis Winston of Florida State or Marcus Mariota of Oregon drops down to the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Jets should take the chance on one of the top options.
Winston is expected to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the first overall pick, per ESPN's Todd McShay. His mock draft does give hope that New York can still land Mariota.
Even if either of the options doesn't pan out right away, each of these players' athleticism and arm strength will surely bring the hype back to New York Jets football.
Chris Corso can be followed on Twitter @ChrisCorsoUMSW.
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