20 Predictions For The Season

[Columbia Jet Fan]

We made it everyone. Shout out to everyone who contributed on this board over a crazy offseason as it certainly helped distract me whilst quarantining. 

Its been a wild 8 months since our last game, the team looks dramatically different than it did when we left the field against New England. It feels like we're on the verge of something special, but realistically this team is still a ways away from competing. I wanted to throw down 20 predictions for the upcoming season which I will be sure to bump if they are somewhat accurate and ignore if I whiff. Would love to get your guys thoughts: 

1) CJ Mosley is back. After two years away from the game, Mosley returns to more or less his former self. He puts up pro-bowl caliber numbers, but doesn't make it due to a struggling Jets defense. 

2) Ty Johnson emerges as this teams #1 RB. I believe early in the year the Jets will rotate somewhat evenly btwn MC, TJ, and Tevin Coleman. I believe via injury or by being outplayed Coleman will get phased out and eventually TJ will get the majority of the RB snaps with MC acting as a 3rd down back/asset in the pass game. 

3) Mekhi Becton regresses in the pass game. I have been concerned about the reports from the pre season and believe they will trickle into the regular season. I anticipate Mekhi will become a top 10 run blocker in the league this year, but will have games where he struggles against quicker edges. He finishes an up and down year as a middle of the pack tackle due to his ability in the run game and next offseason there will be questions about whether he is better suited moving over to RT. 

4) Corey Davis is what you expect him to be. Davis will lead the team in targets, receptions, and yards  and will see the lion share of the targets over the first half of the season. He finishes the year with 1,075 yards 8TDs, and becomes a fan favorite. 

5) Some corner questions answered - but much work to do. I believe Bryce Hall will have a solid season, and the slot CB position will see strong play from both Michael Carter and Guidry. The other outside spot will be a rotation of the young guys and will fluctuate week to week. Ultimately the second outside corner spot will remain a critical weakness for this team and they will find a true CB1 for this defense next offseason. 

6) Special teams finally stabilizes. I believe Braden Mann will have a good year - finishing in the top 10 in punting. Matt Amendola will surprise at kicker - generally doing a good job at the position with a few misses that we will overlook due to some key long FGs. Both will be back next year and Jets fans will feel good about having them back. 

7) Jamison Crowder underwhelms. I don't see Crowder having a big role in this offense. I believe he will be traded at the deadline for a 5th round pick - and Berrios/Cole/Moore will fill the role without the offense suffering. 

8 ) QW makes the leap. I anticipate a big year for Quinnen. I believe he will play all 17 games, have 9 sacks and will continue to be a monster in run defense. He will end the season as a pro bowler with some all pro votes and will generally be considered one of the best young defensive players in the game. 

9) Mims starts slow, but improves. Denzel Mims will start the season seeing limited opportunities as WR5. He will fill in primarily at the goal line and will flash some of the contested catch ability that made him a 2nd round pick. By the end of the year he will rotate into the offense more and find moderate success. He will go into the offseason as a question mark and his third season will be viewed as make or break. 

10) Bryce Huff is serviceable - but limited. When Lawson was around Huff was viewed as more of a situational rusher. Forced to play more on earlier downs his lack of ability in the run game will show and he will be viewed as a situational player and not one we can plug in as an edge in the future. 

11) AVT is a stud. Alijah-Vera-Tucker will be viewed as the Jets best offensive lineman after a few games. He will emerge as a better than average guard off the bat, and will play all 17 games showing strong ability in the pass and run game. 

12) The TEs suck. Whether its Kroft or Griffin - the Jets will see some of the worst production in the NFL from the TE position. Wesco will be a servicable blocker as the TE/FB hybrid but nothing special. TE will be one of the 2 or 3 most desire positions of needs heading into the offseason. 

13) LeMarcus Joyner surprises. I think Joyner can be a potential stud in this defense and will be viewed as one of the best under the radar signings. He emerges as the best safety on this squad and re-signs with the Jets after a strong year. 

14) The rookie LBs are up and down. Sherwood and Nasirldeen become decent coverage LBs with weakness in the run game. They'll make a few big plays - with some big errors as well. The Jets will sign a veteran in the offseason and the two will compete for the third LB spot next year. 

15) Maye takes a step back, Davis makes a step forward. I believe Maye will have a solid, but unspectacular season as his last as a New York Jet. Ashtyn Davis will see more playing time over the course of the year and will play well in the second half. Ultimately the Jets opt to not trade Maye at the deadline and he will walk in FA as Davis steps in as the other starter at safety. 

16) The offensive line is solid. The scheme ends up getting better production from CMG, GVR, and Fant - who will play more than people think. Overall this unit will be better than people anticipate and will be around average for the league. 

17) The rest of the DL will disappoint. The line, viewed by many as the best part of this Jets team will struggle with Carl Lawson's injury. Outside of QW - Sheldon Rankins struggles with injuries and consistency, JFM is forced to play on the edge where he can't replicate the success he had rushing the QB on the interior, and Shaq Lawson is a miss. The unit finishes outside the top 10 and its struggles are viewed as the main reason this defense is underwhelming. 

18) Robert Saleh proves to be our guy. Faced with a young roster, injuries, and a rookie QB, the first year head coach is able to keep his team playing hard and disciplined. Good game plans and minimal penalties allow the Jets to be more competitive in games than people expect and he becomes a trendy choice for COTY in 2022. 

19) Zach Wilson and Elijah Moore are hits. Moore will slot in as the #2 option for ZW early in the year, showing big play ability and higher YPA on his targets than Corey Davis. By the end of the year he will be viewed as the best WR on the team, and will emerge as one of the best picks in the 2021 draft. Zach Wilson will have the best year of any rookie QB. He will start better than people anticipate and will continue to improve over the course of the year. He will have an "average" season among all NFL QBs - but will lead rookies in all passing categories. He finishes the year with 3,850 passing yards, 26TDs, 15 INTs and 7.4 yard per attempt. 

20) The Jets will finish the year 6-11 - but will finish the year strong and will play competitively with the Saints/Dolphins/Bucs/Bills to end the year. The defense is one of the worst 5 units, but improve as the season goes along. The offense will be top 10 in the league from a rushing perspective, and their passing offense will be around league average. Their record will be hindered by a 1-5 record against their AFC East foes - but will be viewed as a team on the rise and Jets fans will finally feel good going into the 2022 season. 

[Biggs]

Saleh goes from Mr. Clean to Mr. T.

[JTJet]

18 minutes ago, Columbia Jet Fan said:

12) The TEs suck. Whether its Kroft or Griffin - the Jets will see some of the worst production in the NFL from the TE position. Wesco will be a servicable blocker as the TE/FB hybrid but nothing special. TE will be one of the 2 or 3 most desire positions of needs heading into the offseason

This is impossible.

We have been the worst team at the TE position for literally like 5 years straight. There is absolutely nowhere but up. 

[JTJet]

5 minutes ago, Biggs said:

Saleh goes from Mr. Clean to Mr. T.

Is he going to start wearing a gold turnover chain? 

[Dunnie]

27 minutes ago, Biggs said:

Saleh goes from Mr. Clean to Mr. T.

I am waiting for the final evolution ....

[varjet]

I think these predictions are pretty close to spot on. 

I would trade Crowder now.  
 

I think the OL will be less than solid. 

[rangerous]

mostly agree with the 20 points except for the one on becton.  i think one he gets playing time with avt at lt he'll be more than fine.  the oline is good on paper but still needs reps together and they will come around.