Moves New York Jets Will Regret Not Making This Offseason

Darrelle Revis answered questions from the New York Jets media on a conference call on March 11, 2015, for the first time since October 2012, and all seemed right in New York. Then came the announcement that Batman and Robin would be reuniting with the return of Antonio Cromartie, and you could almost hear the ticker-tape parade rolling through the Canyon of Heroes. 

It would be foolish to think that Revis and Cromartie will be the only difference between last year's 4-12 squad and next year's Lombardi Trophy winners, bringing an end to a 47-year title drought. 

It would be even more foolish to think that their offseason is over, or that there weren't more ways they could have improved their team.

Indeed, in targeting Revis, Cromartie, safety Marcus Gilchrist, guard James Carpenter and re-signing linebacker David Harris and guard Willie Colon, the Jets still left a little stink after trying to wash the taste of last year's failures out of their mouth.

Here's a look at what could have added up to a quick shot of Listerine.

Not Targeting a Pass-Rusher/Outside Linebacker

Associated Press

Former Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard could have helped the Jets pass rush, but instead, he'll be trying to bring down Jets passers twice a year with the New England Patriots.

Quinton Coples and Calvin Pace can't be considered enough on their own to provide the kind of pass rush the Jets need from their outside linebackers. Coples is coming into his own and could be in for a career year in Todd Bowles' defense; Pace, however, is nearing the end of his career.

For years, the Jets have tried in vain to add quality depth to the roster at outside linebacker. For years, they have failed. When that happens, the next logical step is to take a shot at the free-agent board with a stop-gap option at the position. The Jets failed to do that, too. 

Despite the likes of Brian Orakpo, Brooks Reed and Jabaal Sheard being available this offseason, the Jets were unable to find anyone they thought could help their pass rush. 

The Jets have several early-round draft picks they could use to add a talented pass-rusher to the group. Dante Fowler, Jr. (Florida), Bud Dupree (Kentucky) or Vic Beasley (Clemson) would all be athletic, explosive additions to the Jets' front seven. But rather than immediately put the pressure on one rookie to show signs of becoming the next pass-rushing star for the Jets, the smart move would have been to further supplement the roster and give him some time to develop. 

Not Going After a Tight End

David Richard/Associated Press

Former Browns tight end Jordan Cameron (above) is exactly the kind of threat the Jets want at tight end, but now, he's the kind of threat they'll have to defend twice a year with the Dolphins.

The Jets still have both Jace Amaro and Jeff Cumberland in their employ, but with Amaro showing only minimal signs of progression in his rookie year and Cumberland entering a contract year, the tight end position is still one that has question marks for the future.

Former Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron is just one of the players who could have provided some answers. The 6'5", 249-pounder would have given the Jets yet another red-zone threat to add to the small army they've assembled lately, including wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. 

Even someone like former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano (now with the Tennessee Titans) or St. Louis Rams tight end Lance Kendricks (who re-signed with the team) could have provided a nice versatile option in the passing and running games. Instead, the Jets may be faced with some significant questions at tight end in 2016, and possibly even sooner.

Not Targeting Shane Vereen

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Jets have never been shy to sign players away from a rival team, and they could have double-dipped on the double-advantage of adding a player and subtracting one from a division rival. Running back Shane Vereen will be taking his handoffs and catching his passes at MetLife Stadium, but the name on the jersey will not be the Jets.

Instead, Vereen will suit up for another of the Jets' most hated rivals: the New York Giants.

The Jets wouldn't have simply been signing Vereen to keep him away from the Patriots, the Giants and any other potential team he could've sign with. The Jets need a back with Vereen's skill set, especially after the departure of running back Chris Johnson. 

There will be opportunities for them to add a young, athletic back in the draft, but none who could be as versatile a threat right out of the gate as Vereen could have been.

Not Fortifying the Depth Chart at Linebacker

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Demario Davis (56, left) and David Harris (52, right) are a talented duo in their own right, but the Jets don't have enough depth behind them.

In recent years, the Jets roster could be characterized as top-heavy, big on star power and small on depth. They have fixed this problem in some spots, but there are many that still need more attention. One of those spots is linebacker.

The Jets ponied up a hefty sum to retain the services of career Jet David Harris (three years, $21.5 million, $15 million guaranteed), and Demario Davis remains a young up-and-comer next to Harris, but what happens if and when either of those two are unable to play? The burden would fall on the likes of Chris Young and Jamari Lattimore. 

There were opportunities to fix the lack of depth at linebacker in free agency; Brandon Spikes, Akeem Dent and others were available on the open market this season. There will be some linebackers available in this year's draft, but many of them will be undersized for the position: Eric Kendricks (UCLA), Paul Dawson (TCU) and Denzel Perryman (Miami) all stand 6'0" or shorter and are all projected to be top-100 picks, according to CBSSports.com. 

But one injury to either Harris or Davis could send the Jets into a tailspin at linebacker.

Not Trying to Trade Dee Milliner

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

After adding both Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie to their secondary, the Jets have gone from a lack of depth at cornerback to an abundance of it. Let's not forget the signing of slot cornerback Buster Skrine, either. 

Even with those three on the roster, the Jets are still an injury away from forcing someone like Dee Milliner, Darrin Walls or Dexter McDougle into heavy playing time. 

Thus, their trepidation for not trading Dee Milliner is understandable, especially given the fact that his stock is probably at its lowest following the season-ending torn Achilles as well as the struggles of his career up to that point. That being said, the Jets may not get another opportunity where multiple teams are inquiring about acquiring Milliner's services.

Unless an injury occurs to either Revis or Cromartie, and unless Milliner shines in those moments where the spotlight will be at its brightest, the Jets may have missed the boat on trading him. 

Unless otherwise noted, all salary-cap and contract information provided by OverTheCap.com.