Something new (to me anyway): Roster power rankings

[LIJetsFan]

https://www.ganggreennation.com/2017/12/19/16791784/week-16-new-york-jets-roster-power-rankings-the-very-best-nfl-jets-players

Week 16 Jets Roster Power Rankings

Fourteen down, two to go. The Jets are 5-9 after putting out a somewhat surprisingly solid effort in New Orleans, sticking close throughout before falling 31-19, still plenty enough to cover the humongous pregame spread.

With the playoffs out of the question, it’s time to evaluate players and figure out where they fit in the longterm puzzle, if at all. And with that, your Week 16 edition of the Jets Top 10 roster power rankings.

The rankings are meant to list the players in order of greatest net impact on the team over the course of the season. I take into account the season’s full body of work and contribution to wins and losses, not future potential or past reputation.

Check out last week’s edition here.

10. Darron Lee (Last week: 6th)

From 6th, to 10th, to 6th, back to 10th again. That volatility sums up Darron Lee in a nutshell, especially his New Orleans outing. Lee made a couple splashy tackles in the run game, showcasing his speed and meeting the ball carrier head-on for a few nice stops.

Then, the bad. He was terrible in coverage and had key responsibility on multiple Saints touchdowns. We saw poor tackling, recognition, and coverage that has plagued him throughout his short career. Lee’s promising mid-year resurgence has begun to fade in recent weeks.

9. Morris Claiborne, CB (Last week: 9th)

Claiborne wasn’t as terrible as he’d been the past few weeks, but started to get exposed by Michael Thomas especially in the second half. Claiborne’s second half struggles are making him out to be worth no more than depth/#2 money this offseason.

8. Steve McLendon, DT (Last week: 10th)

It wasn’t the usual productive run-stuffing outing for McLendon, but I do think he is one of the most consistently active Jets defensive linemen, probably only less so than Leonard Williams.

7. Jermaine Kearse, WR (Last week: 8th)

Hard to blame any Jet receiver for their production in this game with the performance the Jets got under center. I thought Kearse played a solid game despite only picking up 28 yards. Before the final scoring drive against a conservative Saints defense, Kearse had been the receiver on 3 of Petty’s mere 5 passes for 8+ yards. I also thought Petty missed an open Kearse a few times.

6. Bilal Powell, RB (Last week: 7th)

Running backs always get the credit for a touchdown that they score, but they’re not always the ones most responsible. Sometimes the offensive team’s coaches win the chess match and create a walk-in. Sometimes the offensive line plows open a hole. Powell’s TD against the Saints was neither of those. He made a superb move hurdling a defender in the backfield almost immediately after getting the ball, hitting his stride quickly to find the edge for the score. A great running back play. Otherwise, it was a decent day for Powell. Though, he was the second best Jets running back on the day. Rookie Elijah McGuire had an outstanding performance, both running and catching the ball in limited touches.

5. Jamal Adams, S (Last week: 5th)

Adams seemed to have another strong game. He forced a fumble, and led the team with 8 tackles, 3 of them run stops for 2 yards or less. Adams’ recognition and smarts have been consistently strong. He still can steady up his all-around game. Adams would be smart to cut down on his diving tackle attempts, his most consistent technical flaw in my eyes. He also still can get better covering tight ends, perhaps looking to use more physicality instead of waiting to go for a pick. Despite those weaknesses, Adams has made his share of plays this year. 4 PDs, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and a pair of teammate interceptions he was most responsible for creating.

4. Demario Davis, ILB (Last week: 4th)

Looked like another solid all-around game for Davis. His performance in the run game this year has hit elite levels, as he ranks among the leaders in many run-stopping statistics. His coverage will likely never be a strength, but has steadied this year. I also feel like he’s done a solid job in his blitzing roles. What do you think Davis’ value is?

3. Leonard Williams, DT (Last week: 3rd)

Leo flashes his athleticism with an outstanding interception of Drew Brees, his biggest play of the year. He also made a few great run plays. Fans will continue to berate his performance this year as one of the many disappointments on the team, but Leo is playing good football in spite of the circumstances. Williams is the Jets’ only legitimate threat to win a 1-on-1 matchup. He is clearly the #1 focus of every defense they face, a major reason for his statistical decline.

2. Marcus Maye, S (Last week: 2nd)

I don’t think Maye played a very good game. He wasn’t his usual self as a tackler and made a few coverage mistakes. He was out of position on Mark Ingram’s early big run as well as his game-sealing touchdown, and was also lucky to not be responsible for a Michael Thomas touchdown that was inches away from counting. I think Leo’s mane is starting to cast a shadow on Maye’s back as he lurks as close to this spot as ever.

1. Robby Anderson, WR (Last week: 1st)

Last year, Bryce Petty helped unlock Robby Anderson, as the rookie had some of his best games with Petty under center. Against the Saints, Petty made things impossible for Anderson. Anderson got 12 targets, catching only 5 for 40 yards. The Saints invited the Jets to toss short curls Robby’s way, and Petty was brutally inaccurate on far too many of them. Based on some of the throws Robby was getting and the locations on the field he was getting them (and not to mention the fact he was facing Marshon Lattimore), his 40 yards were somewhat of an accomplishment.

Knocking on the door:

Jordan Jenkins, OLB: Over 50% of you chose Jenkins as your top Jet not on the list each of the past two weeks, a selection I don’t wholeheartedly agree with but I guess would be my choice if guys like Lee and Claiborne continue to make their best efforts to tank off the list. Jenkins is a steady edge-setting player whose effort I will not question, but is at the core of the Jets’ nonexistent pass rush.

Josh McCown, QB: As mentioned last week, I’m holding McCown off the list until after Week 17 to shift the spotlight towards the active roster. However, Bryce Petty made sure to reserve a firm spot on the season-ending list for McCown with his performance this week. The way things played out, this was a game McCown would have likely given the Jets a substantially better chance of winning. He has a seat saved in the final ten.

[Gastineau Lives]

Next up: The Jets Pro Bowl - A Pro Bowl of our own made up of only Jets players! The play of the safeties alone is worth the price of admission!