NFL Power Rankings: Where do the New York Jets rank?

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach

watches organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

How do the New York Jets compare when it comes to overall NFL Power Rankings so far this offseason? The Jets had arguably the best offseason in the National Football League. In fact the Jets received the only “A” grade from ESPN’s very own Mike Sando. Here’s what he had to say below:

New York Jets: A

Re-signed: DE Leger Douzable, LB David Harris, LS Tanner Purdum, OL Ben Ijajana, OL Willie Colon, RB Bilal Powell

Veteran additions: CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Buster Skrine, CB Darrelle Revis, ILB Jamari Lattimore, OT James Brewer, OG James Carpenter, TE Kellen Davis, DT Kevin Vickerson, S Marcus Gilchrist, DE Stephen Bowen, RB Stevan Ridley, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Brandon Marshall, LB Erin Henderson, LB Joe Mays, WR DeVier Posey, RB Zac Stacy

Veteran subtractions: S Dawan Landry, WR Greg Salas, DE Jermaine Cunningham, FB John Conner, DT Kenrick Ellis, CB Kyle Wilson, QB Michael Vick, ILB Nick Bellore, WR Percy Harvin, CB Phillip Adams, TE Chris Pantale, FB Mario Harvey

Draft picks: 1-Leonard Williams (DE), 2-Devin Smith (WR), 3-Lorenzo Mauldin (LB), 4-Bryce Petty (QB), 5-Jarvis Harrison (G), 7-Deon Simon (DT)

Analysis: The Jets commanded the only A grade overall and the only A-plus from an individual voter. Riddick liked their moves that much. He worked with Todd Bowles in Philadelphia and he believes in the Jets’ new head coach, calling him a “dynamite” hire. Adding Revis in free agency, Marshall by trade and a luxury first-round choice in Williams separated the Jets.

“It is hard to find a fault with anything they did from coaching to free agency to the draft,” Riddick said.

With all that lofty praise where do the Jets actually rank across all the major sports media networks in the early NFL Power Rankings? Let’s take a look what others have as far the Jets getting ranked are concerned.

Next: ESPN gave the Jets what?

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN

The Jets were ranked 25th in the league by John Clayton and ESPN’s power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities). This version (post-draft) of the ESPN Power Rankings were posted on May 8th, 2015.

The Jets rose 2 spots from the Power Ranking a week prior (May 1st, 2015). Here are the notes ESPN Insider John Clayton put next to the ranking of the Jets.

“Rex Ryan is gone but defense is still the priority. The Jets drafted DE Leonard Williams sixth overall after adding Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist and Stephen Bowen this offseason.”

Next: Sports Illustrated gives Jets low ranking

Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; American sportswriter Peter

walks off the field following the game between the Baltimore Ravens against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Ravens 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Illustrated

In Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback, he gave his official NFL Power Rankings as of Monday June 1st, 2015. Now, before I reveal his ranking for the Jets I feel obligated to tell you that this is the same man who ranked the Baltimore Ravens as his No. 1 team on his power rankings.

With that being said King has the Jets ranked as follows:

“24. New York Jets (4-12). Love the front seven. Love the new coach. Don’t love much about the offense.”

Interesting analysis Peter King, you love the front seven but who doesn’t? But don’t love much about the offense? Oh the combination of Marshall, Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, Jace Amaro, and Chris Ivory isn’t much to brag about?

Now I would understand if King didn’t like the quarterback situation (who doesn’t). But I feel obligated to post as many different power rankings as possible to get a full scope. Regardless I digress, onto the next power ranking!

Next: Fox Sports not being generous to the Jets

Nov 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; FOX reporter Erin Andrews on the sidelines prior to the game with the Dallas Cowboys playing against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports

The folks over at Fox Sports concluded that the Jets were the 23rd best team in the league at this point. As per Dan Schneier, here is what they said about Gang Green:

“The Jets used their premium draft picks to select the best overall players after addressing key needs in free agency. With concerns at quarterback and the offensive line, the Jets might still be one year away from making a run. Then again, we’ve seen Ryan Fitzpatrick excel in Chan Gailey’s system before”

Seeing a trend here? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of Jets fans so far in this process. We still got some major sites to go through before we make any pre-judgments. I mean someone’s got to have the Jets in the top-10 right? Top-15? Top-20 maybe?

Next: USA Today have their doubts in the Jets

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Devin Smith (84) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today

USA Today released their latest NFL Power Rankings on May 5th, 2015. It seems like the Jets are slowly rising as we go through these Power Rankings. USA Today placed the Jets in the 21st position. They had this side note to articulate why they made this decision:

“They’ve improved as much as any team in the league over the past two months but still have ground to close on rest of AFC East.”

Next: CBS Sports spares no mercy on the Jets

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams (62) watches organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports

Our road trip around the internet has landed us at CBS Sports. These power rankings were also posted on the 5th of May, 2015. Again, regardless of what said ‘analysts’ think, I respectfully put their opinions in this piece.

The folks over at CBS Sports think that the Jets are the third worst team in football. Yes, they ranked the Jets 30th in the league in their eyes. Here’s what Pete Prisco said:

“They should be really good on defense, and they’ve made some solid additions on offense, but it’s all about the quarterback. Do they have one?”

To be frank this ranking is comical. Prisco believes that the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and the team that just had the 1st overall pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all better than the Jets. So it’s all about the quarterback?

Do the Browns have one? The Jaguars and Raiders hope they do in Bortles and Carr respectively. But the Jets defense alone should carry them to 7-8 wins regardless of offense. That is how good this unit is in my opinion.

Next: WalterFootball.com slams the Jets down

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) hands the ball to New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Walter Football

WalterFootball.com has been doing NFL Mock Drafts and Power Rankings for years under the radar. Historically they have done a very nice job. In terms of their views on the Jets, cover your eyes as more negativity looms. Here’s what they had to say in regards to where the Jets stand against other NFL teams:

“Picking redundant players like Leonard Williams might be good for the future, but it won’t help the Jets win any games this year. But that begs the question: If New York is building for the long haul, why sign Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, when both talented corners will help the Jets win enough games to be out of Christian Hackenberg/Cardale Jones contention, but not enough games to make the playoffs?”

Here’s my problem with this analysis: How can picking the best player arguably in the entire draft not help win any games this year? I’m sorry but I disagree completely. Bowles prefers a rotational system on the defensive line so Williams may not start but he’ll certainly be seeing the field this season.

Next: NFL Network gives Jets some true praise

Jan 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA;

(L) and

(R) smiles during NFL Network broadcast at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Network

One of the main Power Rankings I read every time it’s posted is one done by Elliot Harrison. I like how at the top of every ‘version’ that comes out he’ll admit a mistake he made or playfully gloat about something he predicted going right.

He had the Jets ranked 21st in the league with a five team bump up since his previous NFL Power Rankings. Here’s what he had to say:

“Nice bump for the Jets, who have done a lot since the Darrelle Revis signing. They signed Antonio Cromartie afterward, in a move that received about 1/100th the publicity. Also flying under the radar: the Stevan Ridley acquisition. Loved the Jets’ picks. Well, at least, most of them. Who loves everything about anything? (#noncommittal male) Getting Leonard Williams at No. 6 was enough to bearhug their draft.”

I love his use of comedy, he’s great at articulating his thoughts in a variety of ways to get his point across. Though so far, Harrison boasts one of the highest rankings for the Jets so far (if not the highest). But with only one more major site left, there is still time for that mark to be beaten.

Next: Bleacher Report gives Jets highest power ranking

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; General view of fireworks at the end of Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43-8. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bleacher Report

And lastly we land in the driveway of Bleacher Report. They’ve had their NFL Power Rankings out since May 4th, 2015. Mike Tanier, NFL National Lead Writer was responsible for ranking the 32 teams in the NFL.

FINALLY! *CUE FIREWORKS* The Jets have broken into the top-20 in the NFL Power Rankings on a major sports media site! With only one site left, things were looking dim. Finally, at least a little respect by the Bleacher Report crew. Here’s what they had to say about why they ranked the Jets at No. 18:

Best-Case Scenario: The Jets might have the best secondary and the best defensive line in the NFL right now. Prop up any decent quarterback behind the wheel of one of Gailey’s custom jalopy offenses, and the Jets can manufacture enough 17-10 wins to secure a playoff berth.

Worst-Case Scenario: Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Petty are capable of causing three distinct flavors of heartbreak. Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie enter power saver mode if the offense descends into quarterback anarchy. The Jets turn out to be only slightly better than last year, but much more Jets-like.

Well that’s everyone who matters in the world of analysis on Power Rankings so far this offseason. We’ve gone through several of the top sites around the web to see what they thought of the Jets. Let’s analyze all this information that’s been thrown at us and synthesize it into a few short bullet points to really see what to make of all this.

Next: Final thoughts

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media after the organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

Surprise surprise, the Jets are underrated again for the umpteenth time. I said it earlier that the Jets defense alone could carry them to a playoff berth. All the Jets need is average quarterback play this season if they can get that they’re going to go very far this year.

I think out of all the sites that we went through in all seriousness, the Bleacher Report was probably the closest to what will really occur this upcoming season. I have them in the late teens category at this point.

It’ll come down to how the quarterback does this season to truly see how far this team can go but besides that, the Jets aren’t as bad as many major sites believe they are.

Next: Durell Eskridge could be Jets' diamond in the rough

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