New York Jets Flight Connections 5/23/21

Good morning, Gang Green Nation! ESPN is predicting the Jets will have the #1 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, by way of being the worst team in the NFL. That seems a bit harsh, given all the positive moves the Jets have made in the offseason. Still, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. The Jets are an extremely young team, with massive turnover of both the roster and the coaching staff. Many of the key coaches have zero experience with their current positions. This is a recipe for likely struggles, particularly early in the season. The Jets have a rookie quarterback, which is always a highly unpredictable situation. No matter how much you may like the player, rookie quarterbacks are major wildcards, and it’s impossible to know ahead of time which ones will hit their stride right out of the gate and which ones will struggle mightily. If Zach Wilson struggles badly that will go a long way towards the Jets landing at or close to the bottom of the league.

The Jets also have huge uncertainties in the linebacking corps. Every linebacker on the team is something of a crapshoot, even former star C.J. Mosley, who has barely played since 2018. The cornerback room is equally full of uncertainty, where the team is relying on one cornerback with half a season under his belt and a bunch of late round rookies and backups to get the job done. It is not difficult to envision the Jets having the worst cornerback group in the NFL. The tight end group also has the potential to be worst in the NFL, and the running backs aren’t exactly household names. The offensive line also remains a work in progress, with much of the hopes for improvement resting with a rookie. Rookie offensive linemen often struggle badly.

Of course, there are also reasons to be optimistic. The receivers are much improved, the defensive line has the potential to develop into one of the top units in the league, and the coaches, though young and untested in their current positions, have a lot of potential for good things. In the end, I don’t expect the Jets to be a particularly good team in 2021, with 2022 the more likely year for a return to respectability and possibly even contender status. However, with all the talent added to this team, I would be surprised if the Jets ended up with the worst record in the league. Could it happen? Sure, but I don’t think it’s the way to bet.

Here are your links to the Jets this glorious Sunday in May:

Max Goodman - Why New York Jets will have first overall pick in 2022 NFL draft

Tyler Greenawalt - ESPN predicts Jets will get first overall pick in 2022 NFL draft

Max Goodman - New York Jets QB Zach Wilson ranked among worst starting quarterbacks

Tyler Greenawalt - Zach Wilson, other Jets rookies bonding as 2021 season approaches

Carson Hathaway - NY Jets: Which quarterback is Zach Wilson's NFL comparison?

Justin Fried - NY Jets 'haven't shut the door' on a Richard Sherman signing

Justin Fried - NY Jets: 4 veterans on offense in danger of being cut

Gary Phillips - Where does Jets’ 2021 strength of schedule rank?

Glenn Naughton - Don't Count Chris Herndon out Just yet, Jets Fans; Bounce-Back Season is Likely in 2021

Ryan Dunleavy - Dan Feeney's mullet, beer chugging goes viral as Jets watch Islanders

Paul A. Esden Jr. - Longtime NFL Veteran Rejects Jets Backup QB Gig

Here are your missed connections from yesterday.

Enjoy the day everybody.