How Will Saleh Save the Jets?
A look into how the Jets new head coach, Robert Saleh, could bring hope back to the fans.
Robert Saleh brings fire, intensity, and passion to the sidelines but, can he bring a winning culture to the New York Jets who have been the laughing stock of the league the past few seasons.
Saleh inherits mediocre talent on both sides of the ball but, two first round picks in this years draft and just over 70 million dollars in cap space to go into free agency this offseason. There are two different ways Saleh can attack the offseason and the first way is to go get a franchise quarterback that’s in the draft.
With the second overall pick and Trevor Lawrence going to the Jaguars being a lock, the Jets could take either Ohio State quarterback, Justin Fields or BYU quarterback, Zach Wilson. Now, if they take one of these guys, they can deal Sam Darnold to either Pittsburgh, Detroit, or Houston in return for a 4th round selection or depth at the wide receiver position.
I don’t believe the Jets should go quarterback at two because, outside of Lawrence, the quarterbacks in this draft are really good but, all have notable flaws. This brings me to the other way Saleh and the Jets can go about the offseason. They could either sign a quarterback or trade for one and take the best player in this years draft at number two, Oregon tackle Penei Sewell.
With Sewell at one tackle and Becton at the other, whoever is throwing the ball in the Big Apple will be protected. The best option for the Jets would be to trade their 23rd pick, second round pick this year, first rounder next year, and second rounder next year for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson. If they don’t want to give up as much as they would need to to get Watson, they could target Matt Stafford or Jimmy G.
Outside the quarterback position, with the money they have available they need to look for weapons. Allen Robinson II is set to become a free agent and is an elite wide receiver that would boost any receiving core. When Braxton Berrios is your number one option, you won’t have a ton of success. They can also, try to sign Chargers tight end, Hunter Henry to add a big threat along the goal line.
If they don’t want to spend big money for one or two weapons, they can go after two cheaper receivers like Kendrick Bourne, Willie Snead, or John Ross and look at a cheaper tight end like a Cethan Carter or Tyler Kroft.
On defense, they can sign Richard Sherman to a one year deal around 10 million dollars which would be an awesome fit at the corner position. At the edge rusher position they can take a chance on a veteran like Ryan Kerrigan or Everson Griffen on a one year deal or throw money at a young pass rusher like Trey Hendrickson.
Saleh and the rest of the Jets management have a lot of work to do but, with the draft position they hold and money they can spend, they have a very bright future.