Are the New York Jets Built for Long-Term Success?

Age is only a number.

That adage may apply to the dating game, but it definitely doesn't apply in the NFL, where age is a number that can define your value to a team and can distinguish a team as either all-in to win now or developing its roster with an eye to the future.

The best teams can find a balance between these two extremes, but the New York Jets find themselves firmly on one side of the spectrum. 

Right now, the Jets employ 12 players age 30 or older, according to Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice. That's tied with three other teams for second-most 30-year-olds on an NFL roster. 

There are still 37 players who need to be cut between now and the end of training camp, but don't hold your breath hoping for the Jets to cut the number of 30-year-olds in half. Sure, there are a few veterans on the bubble; linebackers Jason Babin and Calvin Pace, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson and defensive end Stephen Bowen could all be on the chopping block, fighting for their jobs.

But players like quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, cornerback Antonio Cromartie, tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, linebacker David Harris, center Nick Mangold, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and kicker Nick Folk probably aren't going anywhere. What's more, the number of 30-year-olds on the Jets' roster could increase substantially in the next year; in fact, cornerback Darrelle Revis will celebrate his 30th birthday on July 14.

Three of the top six employers of 30-year-olds were in the playoffs last year (Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers), so it's far from unprecedented for a veteran team to be a contender. 

Position	Veteran (age)	Backup (age)
CB	Antonio Cromartie (31)	Marcus Williams (24)
OT	D'Brickashaw Ferguson (31)	Ben Ijalana (25)
C	Nick Mangold (31)	Dalton Freeman (24)
LB	David Harris (31)	Taiwan Jones (21)
WR	Brandon Marshall (31)	Devin Smith (23)

In that respect, the Jets' team-building strategy has given them the chance to make a push for the postseason, but only if they get consistent, serviceable play at quarterback from either young-gun Geno Smith (24 years old) or veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick (32).

If not, though, the Jets could find themselves in trouble.

Sure, they'll be fine at some positions where they've done a formidable job of stocking up the depth chart with young prospects (wide receiver and outside linebacker), but there has to be some major concern at other positions where depth is lacking (offensive line and safety).

The Jets are also cognizant of the fact that they're counting on a high number of new new players coming together and quickly getting on the same page, as head coach Todd Bowles has pointed out.

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We've had a lot of new people, so those people have not been seen as opposed to watching the Jets film last year because they weren't here. So in camp, everybody has a reputation, but for the new guys, it's to prove that they can belong and the new veterans to prove that they can belong and stay, and for the old guys, it's to prove that they can still play at a high level. There's always going to be a 'prove it' period when you come into camp whether you're new or old, so I guess that's what I'm trying to say I'm waiting to see.

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This is also a period of time in which the Jets' veterans can help bring along the younger talent on the roster. That's the beauty of a veteran-laden team: They can impart their wisdom on the young players, who could eventually step into the spots those veterans vacate when their time is up. That makes the transition easier for young players and rookies. 

"Yes, it makes it a lot easier with guys like that as your teammates, so they can tell you everything that has helped them be successful and how to beat press coverage and how to get open," wide receiver Devin Smith said, according to Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com. "I'm looking forward to just learning from those guys."

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that it's hard to evaluate a draft class until at least two or three years down the line, and by then, it may be too late. By then, the Jets may have to start thinking about life without their stockpile of veterans. By then, the Jets may be fully transitioning from a veteran team to a young one. 

Future drafts could help shape the roster, as could future free-agent signings, but at some point, the young talent will have to trump the veteran talent. 

The Jets have made savvy moves this offseason to stock the cupboards with veteran talent, but the only way the Jets are going to have a window of longer than two or three years is if their young players learn quickly enough to keep pace.  

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release.