New York Jets: Rotoworld Ranks NFL Starting Lineups

Evan Silva of Rotoworld ranked starting lineups in the NFL. The Jets came in 28th, ahead of only the Chargers, the Bills, the Jaguars, and the Raiders.

Offensive Overview: The Jets' ideal 2013 offensive approach -- and one of which Rex Ryan will approve -- would be to resume the ground-and-pound attack while "managing" the quarterback play, which is a virtual certainty for error proneness regardless of the camp battle winner. Rookie GM John Idzik has New York moving in a Seattle-like direction, with Ivory as his Marshawn Lynch, Smith as the hopeful Russell Wilson, and a bit of a rag-tag line that lacks flash but should get the job done. Quietly, Howard was a mauling force in the 2012 run game. Ferguson and Mangold are stalwart Jets, and Colon remains an effective all-around blocker at 30 years old. A decorated former wrestler and 50-game starter at Kent State, Winters is the key to the group. This offense will move the chains if Ivory stays healthy and the run blocking meets its potential.



Defensive Overview: Rex Ryan's defense is the Jets' saving grace. If the run game is as potent as I think it can be, New York could sneakily improve on last year's 6-10 record. The Jets finished eighth in 2012 total defense despite 14 missed games from Darrelle Revis, and the lineup has since improved with versatile inside rusher Richardson, new No. 2 cornerback Milliner, and explosive edge presence Barnes joining an already reasonably talented unit. Cromartie excelled in the Revis Island role in 2012, regularly eliminating opposing top receivers. The Jets have fresher legs at inside linebacker, turning the page on 33-year-old Bart Scott in favor of second-year man Davis. Coples' switch from strong-side defensive end to 3-4 rush linebacker should generate storylines in camp. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, there won't be a bigger linebacker in the league.

What is interesting is even though Silva ranks the Jets so low, his writing indicates there is a lot of potential here. The offense is important. The last two years, the unit has sunk the Jets. They need to be able to get some kind of production from the unit, even if that means just protecting the ball and stringing together a few first downs before punting to rest the defense. As Silva notes, it seems like the offense the Jets are building is tailored to power football, but the offensive coordinator is a guy who throws as his first, second, third, and fourth options. Hopefully, Marty Mornhinweg can improve the passing game while adjusting what he does to the talent he has.