The New York Jets must overcome these weaknesses on the roster to have a successful 2024 season.
With Aaron Rodgers in New York, expectations are sky high. However, there are some things that the 40-year old signal caller can’t control – and that’s the performance of his teammates. While the New York Jets have put together a good roster heading into 2024, they must overcome these weaknesses if they wish to have success.
Will Linebacker
The Jets have two elite linebackers in Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley. However, their Will linebacker, Jamien Sherwood, should make fans feel uneasy.
While Sherwood has shown to be a strong tackler as his 5.8 percent missed tackle rate would suggest, he struggles mightily in coverage. Considering the NFL is now a pass-happy league, this is a problem.
Last season, Sherwood was one of four linebackers to cede a reception on every target thrown in his direction. The Jets linebacker also allowed a 152.6 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. It doesn’t matter how well of a tackler Sherwood is, if he’s allowing receptions. The Jets defense has few holes, but don’t be surprised if opposing offenses look to pick on Sherwood in 2024.
Who’s the WR2?
There’s no question that Garrett Wilson is an elite wide receiver. However, the Jets don’t have a clear answer as to who their WR2 will be this season.
The team signed Mike Williams in the offseason, but he’s not expected to be healthy to start the season. The Jets are reportedly set to bring him along slowly, and, it’s anyone’s guess as to how Williams will perform in his first season after tearing his ACL.
On top of that, Williams is entering his age-30 season. Players who aren’t known for their route running tend to struggle as they age, especially when recovering from an injury that limits their burst.
The only other viable receivers on the roster are rookie Malachi Corley, Allen Lazard, and Xavier Gipson. Corley projects as a slot receiver, while Gipson is more of a gadget player than a complete wide receiver.
Lazard makes the most sense as the team’s WR2 this season, but even he was a healthy scratch at times during the 2023 campaign. It may boil down to either Tyler Conklin or Breece Hall being the team’s true “WR2”, which should cause some concern for Jets fans.
DT2 is a Gaping Hole on the Defensive Line
When the Jets traded John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos this offseason, the biggest question was who will replace him playing alongside Quinnen Williams. Currently, that distinction goes to Javon Kinlaw.
In four seasons, Kinlaw has 70 total tackles and five sacks playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Now, he’s reunited with head coach Robert Saleh. Yet his lack of production thus far in his career is glaring. Kinlaw is a former first-round pick, but has yet to live up to that potential. If Kinlaw was not able to produce in the 49ers defense, there’s little reason to believe that will change with the Jets.
Last season was Kinlaw’s best in his four-year career, and the first time he’s played more than 15 games in a year. So, maybe the best is indeed yet to come. However, he finds himself on this list until proven otherwise.
