The New York Jets are 4-3 after seven video games. All issues thought of — specifically: Aaron Rodgers’ Week 1 damage and a stagnant offense — that’s a formidable feat for a crew that was left for lifeless 4 performs into the season.
No person who watched Sunday’s sport towards the Giants ought to’ve walked away feeling notably optimistic. The Jets practically misplaced to a crew with adverse internet passing yards earlier than improbably marching down the sphere with 24 seconds left to ship it to additional time, the place they ultimately sealed a 13-10 victory.
A win is a win, particularly for a crew that has struggled to get a lot of these through the years, however there are many issues popping out of this newest one.
Particularly, accidents. The offensive line is having the identical degree of luck it did final yr with well being, and the Jets additionally misplaced a key defensive participant (Al Woods) for the season on Sunday.
The NFL commerce deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Earlier than Sunday, the Jets internally have been working as if it have been unlikely they might make any strikes. However perhaps what transpired will change the method barely.
Right here’s how the Jets might deal with a couple of drawback areas heading into Week 9, once they’ll play Monday night time towards the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Offensive line
The Jets have points on the offensive line. That’s new …
The unit had a tricky time towards the Giants move rush, particularly defensive sort out Dexter Lawrence (15 pressures, per TruMedia, and one sack) and defensive finish Kayvon Thibodeaux (three sacks). The problems on the inside have been comprehensible, particularly after heart Connor McGovern suffered a knee damage within the second quarter, which pressured Wes Schweitzer to shuffle over to heart from proper guard. Then Schweitzer suffered a calf damage later within the quarter. That left the Jets with apply squad call-up Xavier Newman first plugging in for Schweitzer at proper guard, after which sliding over to heart.
His first snap was a fumble, and his second one practically sailed over quarterback Zach Wilson’s head. He evened out after that, however had an not possible process making an attempt to dam Lawrence whereas studying timing and cadence with Wilson on the fly. Newman allowed 5 pressures and a sack in 31 pass-blocking snaps, per TruMedia.
McGovern and Schweitzer are each anticipated to overlook time, which additional complicates an offensive line scenario that was already murky. The Jets have discovered some relative degree of stability on the left facet with Mekhi Becton at left sort out and Laken Tomlinson at left guard.
There’s some inner optimism that rookie Joe Tippmann might return within the subsequent week or two. If/when that occurs, he’d possible plug in at heart for McGovern. Duane Brown is eligible to come back off injured reserve and if he’s prepared, it is going to be fascinating to see how the Jets deploy him. The Jets view him as considered one of their greatest 5 offensive linemen, however he’s solely ever performed left sort out within the NFL. There’s some precedent for a participant like that altering positions late in his profession. Jason Peters was completely a left sort out for 12 years — he performed some proper sort out as a rookie — earlier than he began to play some left and proper guard the final couple of years.
So the Jets have a couple of choices with Brown:
1. Play him at left sort out and transfer Becton again to proper sort out (a transfer Becton and followers wouldn’t like).
2. Play him at proper sort out and transfer Max Mitchell to proper guard till (or if) McGovern or Schweitzer returns. Offensive line coach Keith Carter mentioned Mitchell was training at guard earlier than Brown obtained injured.
3. Play Brown at proper guard.
4. Use Brown as a backup.
The Jets additionally might use some depth on the inside. It was already a difficulty earlier than the Giants sport, however appears to be like even worse now. Newman presumably will get signed to the lively roster and offensive sort out Billy Turner performed 36 snaps at proper guard towards the Giants. Rookie sort out Carter Warren can’t play guard. So the Jets could be sensible so as to add a veteran.
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In the event that they’re on the lookout for a starter, Joe Noteboom (Rams) is an choice. He can play each guard and sort out, continues to be solely 28 and underneath contract past this yr. Bears guard/heart Cody Whitehair could be obtainable, however he nonetheless has $4.9 million in wage for 2023. Another extra low-key choices I’ve talked about beforehand embody Dennis Daley (Cardinals) and Matt Pryor (49ers), who can play each guard and sort out.
In free company, La’el Collins continues to be obtainable. Veteran facilities Matt Skura and Ben Jones are free brokers, too.
Some apply squad choices: guard Deonte Brown (Panthers), heart Billy Worth (Cowboys) and heart James Ferentz (Patriots).
Al Woods’ torn Achilles suffered Sunday will finish his season and perhaps his NFL profession. (Matthew Stockman / Getty Photos)
Defensive sort out
The Jets misplaced Woods to a torn Achilles on Sunday, which can finish his season. Woods turns 37 in March so this could be the tip of the street for the veteran defensive sort out’s NFL profession, too.
Woods was a wholesome scratch in Week 4 however performed a key function as a run stopper in different video games. He was signed this offseason to assist fill that function, which Nathan Shepherd performed in 2022 earlier than leaving in free company. Now the Jets are a bit skinny at defensive sort out: Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas are the one ones on the lively roster, whereas Tanzel Good and Marquiss Spencer are on the apply squad.
Defensive finish John Franklin-Myers has performed 89 snaps on the inside and Micheal Clemons has the power to slip inside, too. The Jets would possibly roll with this group — plus Good or Spencer — for now, however there are some choices on the market if GM Joe Douglas desires to make a transfer.
Bears defensive sort out Andrew Billings is in a contract yr and has been a stable run stopper in his profession. If the Vikings are sellers, it’s price calling about Harrison Phillips. The Giants have a few rotational veterans in Rakeem Nunez-Roches and A’Shawn Robinson.
On apply squads, the Jets might have a look at Ross Blacklock (Colts), Mike Pennel (Chiefs), Sheldon Day (Vikings), Marlon Davidson (Titans) and former Jets draft decide Jonathan Marshall (Steelers).
Huge receiver
Randall Cobb and Irv Charles missed Sunday’s sport with shoulder accidents. Cobb was the least productive large receiver within the NFL anyway — simply 20 yards in 173 snaps — and Charles is a particular groups participant.
Rookie Xavier Gipson was anticipated to see an elevated function however performed solely 16 snaps towards the Giants and was focused as soon as. Rookie Jason Brownlee made his debut and performed solely two offensive snaps. Apply squad call-up Malik Taylor drew a vital late-game move interference however had zero different targets in 23 offensive snaps.
Garrett Wilson is on tempo for one more 1,000-yard season and Allen Lazard has had his moments. In any other case, the Jets don’t precisely have a dependable group of wideouts. I wouldn’t anticipate Douglas making a significant splash at large receiver, but when the Jets wish to be taken critically as a playoff contender, they want one other dependable weapon to assist what’s presently the NFL’s worst third-down offense and worst red-zone offense.
The Browns could be prepared to commerce speedy wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones. Hunter Renfrow is obtainable from the Raiders, although his contract ($3.25 million in wage remaining this yr) isn’t supreme for an unproductive participant. Panthers wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. is obtainable, too. If the Bears are prepared to maneuver Darnell Mooney, it’s price exploring. If the Jets have been to goal excessive, each Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton from the Broncos are intriguing.
(High picture of Joe Tippmann and Connor McGovern: Sarah Stier / Getty Photos)
