The 2020 season has just ended, and from March 17, the 2021 campaign will open its doors. Touchdown Actu therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the various franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the New York Jets.
After two years of reign, Adam Gase left a field of ruins in the Big Apple. The 2020 season looked like the Stations of the Cross. 13 consecutive defeats and a final balance of 2-14, controversies, a non-existent attack, nothing turned out well.
The Gase page turned, the franchise has chosen Robert Saleh as the main coach to relaunch. The former 49ers defensive coordinator has before him a vast project to make the team competitive and efficient. With a lot of leeway in the payroll and five draft picks in the top 100, including two first rounds, general manager Joe Douglas has the means to rebuild and give some weapons to his new coach. But starting from an almost blank sheet, the task promises to be immense and the reconstruction long.
The tauliers
1. Quinnen Williams (DL)
2. Mekhi Becton (OT)
3. C.J Mosley (LB)
They are not numerous but yet they are there. In the middle of a workforce suffering from many holes, the new staff of the Jets will be able to rely on a few pillars. For his 2nd year with the pros, Quinnen Williams has established himself as the leader of the New York defense. With 53 tackles including 7 sacks, he has shown constant progress which makes him the cornerstone on which Robert Saleh’s defense will rely. He should be one of the faces of the reconstruction. On the other side of the ball, rookie Mekhi Becton had a promising first campaign both in pass protection and in the running game. He will be the regular bodyguard for the Jets quarterback. With only 2 matches in two seasons (he retired from the 2020 season because of the Covid) CJ Mosley has yet proven everything in New York to justify his very large salary. But the linebacker has the profile of a leader. Experienced and a defense captain, he will be a valuable asset in a workforce that will be considerably younger.
The unwanted
– Sam Darnold (QB)
– Henry Anderson (DE)
Its future is a question mark. After 3 seasons Sam Darnold could be asked to look elsewhere during the offseason. Not helped by his former coach Adam Gase, the young quarterback has shown no sign of progress in the past two seasons, he would even have tended to regress. With the new cycle looming and the possibility of drafting a new pitcher with the 2nd pick in the draft, the Jets could get rid of him. Several teams have already inquired. Since his contract extension, Henry Anderson has not had the production the team expected of him with just 1.5 sacks in two seasons. See you soon 30 and in a new cycle, his Jets days may be numbered. The franchise would take the opportunity to release a little more than 8 million euros from its salary cap.
Man of summer
Bryce Hall (CB)
Injured at the end of 2019, the young cornerback missed the first half of his rookie season. Yet in just 8 matches, he revealed himself and showed a lot of promise. Drafted in the 5th round, he took advantage of the weakness in his post to quickly win. Author of his first career interception in the victory over the Rams, Hall also made 36 tackles and deflected 3 passes. With the arrival of Robert Saleh, defense will be at the heart of the Jets reconstruction project and it is very likely to see a second major cornerback arrive to evolve in its opposite. The Jets could then have a dissuasive duo in the air.
Paradoxically, despite a 2020 year to forget, the franchise’s draft class represented hope, the former Virginia player could be one of the most beautiful examples.
The main free agents
1. Marcus Maye (S)
2. Breshad Perriman (WR)
3. Brian Poole (CB)
4. Jordan Jenkins (OLB)
5. Neville Hewitt (LB)
The others: Bradley McDougald (S), Frank Gore (RB), Patrick Onwuazor (LB), Joe Flacco (QB)
Not sure Joe Douglas will retain many of his free agents. For many months, the general manager of the franchise has taken care to reduce its workforce and its payroll in view of this offseason. Now clearly engaged in the implementation of a new project, few players should be retained by the Jets. Marcus Maye is the only one who has the profile of the player to bet on in the long term. Despite the departure of Jamal Adams, he took on the role of leader of the defensive backfield. Author of 2 interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2020, and still only 27 years old, extending it would make sense for the franchise. Performing in the slot, Brian Poole could also be selected. Injured in the shoulder during the season, the franchise could take the opportunity to extend it at a more attractive price.
Top 5 needs
1. Quarterback
2. Pass rusher
3. Running back
4. Receiver
5. Defensive back
The Sam Darnold experiment seems to have come to an end, so the franchise will have to find a new conductor to lead its attack. But to put a new quarterback in the best position to succeed, you have to know how to surround him. Starting in particular by giving him targets. The Jets receiving squad is sorely lacking in playmakers. A runner would also be welcome to create the alternation with a threat on the ground. On the other side of the ball, Robert Saleh who led a devastating defensive line in San Francisco will quickly find that he does not have the same weapons, especially on the outside where the absence of an effective quarterback hunter is feel. On the last curtain, the back lines will need to expand.
Target
Yannick Ngakoue (DE)
Tossed this season from Jacksonville to Baltimore via Minnesota, Yannick Ngakoue would welcome being able to establish himself and obtain a contract commensurate with his talent. That’s good, the Jets have the means and the needs in the post. At 26 in a few weeks, the player still has many good years ahead of him, maybe even the best. Author of 45.5 sacks in 5 five seasons, his arrival would change the face of the line and would be a positive sign sent by the franchise on its ability to once again attract talent.
Able to evolve in different patterns, his versatility could appeal to Robert Saleh. For his part, the player could find great interest in the New York challenge where the presence of a defensive brain who has proven himself could end up convincing him.
New blood
Travis Etienne (RB)
After a rich and productive academic career, Travis Etienne is ready for the next step. The other Clemson star could become a major contributor from day one. His explosiveness, his acceleration abilities and his elusive side make him a big game machine. It is arguably the most complete and versatile running back in the class. His qualities out of the backfield are also a major asset in his game, ideal for a team looking to expand its target group.
New Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has just spent the past four seasons with Kyle Shanahan. With such learning, it is a safe bet that the racing game will be at the center of his patterns. The addition of a young, explosive runner capable of bringing both the ground and the air seems to be an essential link in the renewal of the attack.
Autres choix : Eric Stokes (CB), Kadarius Toney (WR), Rashod Bateman (WR), Najee Harris (RB)
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