Analyzing the New York Jets' 5 Deepest Roster Spots
The New York Jets went through an extreme makeover of sorts this offseason.
Following an abysmal four-win showing in 2014, the Jets rearranged the front office and brought in several notable players in free agency and the draft, including former Gang Green cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
New York hopes to compete for a postseason spot this upcoming season, but it will take a significantly improved performance from a variety of positional units.
The Jets still have serious weaknesses across the roster, but they have several units of considerable strength and depth. These spots could potentially lead the team to a surprising playoff berth.
Click through for complete analysis of Gang Green's deepest roster spots.
5. Wide Receiver
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Wide receiver has been a position of need for New York the last few years, but general manager Mike Maccagnan and Co. have added some major upgrades this offseason.
Brandon Marshall was a steal for just a fifth-round selection. Despite an injury-plagued 2014, he remains one of the best possession receivers in football. From 2007 to 2013, the Pro Bowler averaged an insane 99 catches, 1,249 yards and eight scores a season.
Marshall should be in for a bounce-back campaign in his first year in Green and White.
Gang Green also added Ohio State product Devin Smith in the second round of the draft. Smith is the best deep threat in this year's class, and he is capable of scoring a long touchdown any time he steps on the field. Though he is raw in some key areas, he should still provide the offense with a speedster who can stretch the field with the best of them.
Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley should also be in for solid seasons. Decker is one of the finest No. 2 wideouts in the game, and Kerley has the potential to be a dangerous threat out of the slot.
Draft-day addition DeVier Posey also brings some more size to the receiving corps, while T.J. Graham and Saalim Hakim both provide top-notch speed at the bottom of the depth chart.
New York's receiving corps won't keep defenses up at night, but it is still one of the team's deepest units heading into the season.
4. Linebacker
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New York's defensive line gets all the headlines, but the linebacker corps has also been one of the team's strongest units in recent seasons.
David Harris and Demario Davis form one of the strongest inside linebacker duos in the league, as both can make plays all over the field and consistently put up more than 100 tackles per season.
Erin Henderson is also a terrific option off the bench. Henderson has had issues off the field, but he is still a capable player who put up 112 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions in 14 games in 2013.
Outside linebacker is a bit more concerning, as Calvin Pace is growing increasingly ineffective as he gets older, and Quinton Coples is playing out of position.
However, the Jets possess solid depth at the position. Third-round pick Lorenzo Mauldin is a high-motor guy who can make an impact on all three downs, and second-year man Ik Enemkpali has shown an ability to make plays in limited playing time.
Even 35-year-old Jason Babin could provide some pass-rushing help in limited snaps.
Expect the back half of the front seven to hold up its end of the bargain in 2015.
3. Running Back
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The Jets lack an elite running back, but they possess several guys who can make an impact out of the backfield.
Chris Ivory has been terrific in his first two years as a Jet, as he has rushed for over 800 yards on less than 200 carries in both campaigns. His ferocious rushing style wears down opposing defenses, and he usually gets better as the game goes along.
Free-agent addition Stevan Ridley has also shown he can carry the load effectively in his career. He rushed for over 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012 before getting stuck in Bill Belichick's doghouse the last two seasons.
Ridley boasts a solid combination of strength and speed and can easily be a lead back if he can learn to hang on to the football on a more consistent basis.
Zac Stacy is another guy who can be relied on to pick up important chunks of yardage. The former Ram is a big, physical back who can make plays out of the backfield in the passing game.
New York also still has Bilal Powell, who has made his money in pass protection in recent seasons.
Gang Green boasts a quartet of talented backs, and it will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Chan Gailey splits the load this upcoming season.
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2. Defensive Line
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New York's defensive line has the potential to be historically good this season.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison have been absolutely dominant in each of the last two years, especially against the running game. All are Pro Bowl-caliber players who are among the top performers at their respective positions.
Now add in Leonard Williams, the sixth overall selection of this year's draft and arguably the top overall player in the class. Williams has the potential to be a dominant force in the mold of Richard Seymour.
New York's line is so stacked that Williams will probably spend most of his rookie year on the sidelines.
Williams won't be the only talented defensive lineman on the bench, though. Leger Douzable, Stephen Bowen and Kevin Vickerson are all solid players capable of contributing in limited snaps.
Gang Green's defensive front should run rampant for much of the season, as it is difficult envisioning an offensive line capable of slowing it down.
1. Cornerback
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Four months ago, cornerback was among New York's biggest needs, as it had very little talent at the position.
Now, it stands as the team's strongest and deepest position.
Adding the best cornerback in the game can certainly do that, but the Jets took it a step further. Along with signing Darrelle Revis to a monster contract in free agency, Gang Green brought in both Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine on long-term deals.
Revis, Cromartie and Skrine will man the top three spots on the depth chart, while last year's group of starters will sit behind them.
Former top-10 selection Dee Milliner is now a toss-up to make the final roster, which is a testament to the talent Gang Green has assembled.
Along with Milliner, Marcus Williams and Darrin Walls have shown a capability to excel in limited snaps, and 2014 third-round pick Dexter McDougle will now be in the fold after tearing his ACL last year.
With the way things are looking, it will be awfully tough to throw the ball on the Jets in 2015.
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