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S41 to S42 – New York Jets Offseason Recap

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Throughout doing all the coach’s interviews, I was also inspired to answer the same questions I was asking my peers. Had fun putting some thought into this so hopefully you all like it. Free content regardless!

 

What was your offseason focus & do you believe that you achieved those goals? Primarily in regards to trades & FA itself.

-Offseason focus in order of importance was to replace RE Carl Lawson, replace SS Jimmie Ward, make some small upgrades along the OL, followed by grabbing a few cheap/rookie deal WRs to offset the Justin Jefferson & Keenan Allen contracts. Additionally, look to trade Garrett Wilson for an impactful player on the defensive side of the ball.

    • We traded a 5th round pick to acquire 82 overall, star dev Emmanuel Ogbah, which effectively replaced Carl Lawson at half the cost he was asking for in FA ($8m).
    • Close to the trade deadline last season, we discussed the framework of a deal sending a 3rd round pick to acquire FS Julian Blackmon from the Colts but waived off in an effort to find a safety in offseason instead. Ultimately, we were able to sign Blackmon in free agency who 81 ovr, star dev, 91 speed, & 81 ZCV to replace the regressed Jimmie Ward. 
    • Answered the call for some replacement OL by grabbing a handful of cheap veterans on expiring deals, guys like Matt Feiler & Matt Paradis whom both hover around 74-75 overall. 
    • Traded WR Garrett Wilson (star dev, 24 years old) for RE Boye Mafe (Superstar, 25 years old). Very happy with this trade, we essentially have two very young edge rushers now in NY & have Ogbah as depth in the event of injury. 
    • Probably the most dramatic trade we made was moving Zach Wilson after Pro Bowl/QB of the Year awards. Thought process here was he stayed star development, going into contract year, and paranoid sense of pressure. Thus, we decided to trade our 3rd round pick previously discussed plus Zach Wilson for Desmond Ridder (ideal sense of pressure, 88 speed, and 2 years of rookie contract) & Superstar 92 speed LB Troy Anderson. 

All in all, massive success for me. Lots of small moves that made us that much better and acquired two SS players (recuperation FTW!) in a tough division where dev games are never guaranteed.

 

What was your draft strategy & who should the league be on the lookout for?

Didn’t have a pick until the 4th round, so the only way I was making a move was by including futures.  As the draft shook out, I decided to maintain all my futures for the first time this cycle in an effort to maintain future flexibility. We did nearly make a trade for pick #27 which would’ve ended up being a SS CB that we intended to take, the asking price was a C4, F1, F2 and we decided to stand pat (seemed too big of a risk at the time). With those late round picks (4-7) I was able to grab two 94/95 speed WRs. Looking to give them some time to develop while still using Jefferson/Keenan/Breece as the go-to’s in the NY offense. Only one hidden player but we also had nothing but late picks so nothing to be bent out of shape about.

 

What is your realistic expectation for this season? Playoffs? Division Title? SB or bust?

Every season the goal is to make the playoffs & give myself a shot at a SB. Ideally we compete for the #1 seed, but getting into the tournament & having a shot is the goal.

 

If you had to name one breakout user for this upcoming season, who would it be & why?

I like the chances for a few different users to make a playoff push this season. Tim as of right now in the AFC & I will never not root for Matt… so I’ll take him in the NFC.