NY Jets: Analyzing key areas that need improving for the future

Heading into his second off season with the NY Jets, general manager Mike Maccagnan will look to improve the team and fix the problems they had in the 2015 season.

Maccagnan in his first season did a very good job in changing the dynamic of the Jets on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. He brought in many veteran players that helped the younger players on the team understand what it takes to win in this league. The offensive side of the ball received a huge game changer when Brandon Marshall was traded to the Jets for a late-round draft pick.

Most fans were wondering why they did this trade because the fans wanted them to use the many draft picks they had. Marshall played outstanding this season that most fans were surprised in how well he did. Maccagnan brought back former players of the organization but the only problem was many of them were older. This off season, the Jets will need to fill in a few areas like they did last year. The areas I think they should focus on is special teams, certain areas on defense, a few changes on offense and a younger offensive line.

The offensive side of the ball could possibly look into getting younger players in the draft or even more veteran players in the free agent market. They will need to look into getting a dynamic receiver to help Marshall and Eric Decker. Even though they have a deep threat in Devin Smith, no one knows when he will be back and how productive he will be from a serious injury he sustained.

They will also need to sign a veteran quarterback to help develop the younger players in the same position as there is no guarantee Ryan Fitzpatrick will return in 2016. If they are looking to get productive running backs then they should draft a young player and sign a veteran one who hasn’t been injury prone. This team had struggled at times this season in scoring points because they relied on the same players to carry them to win. They need to get explosive players that are big and fast.

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The offensive line was very productive in protecting Fitzpatrick this season as he was one of the fewest quarterbacks to be sacked which is a big positive to have on your team.

The age of the line showed towards the end of season when they were getting beat off the line of scrimmage which was causing Fitzpatrick to make huge mistakes.

They should look to possibly start replacing Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson as these two have been the core of the line but these players have played many games and snaps. They shouldn’t look at the free agent market as they should just draft these players that are coming out of college.

It is better off to go with a younger player because normally they would stay healthy longer and be productive. They should look at how the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line is as a blueprint.

The defensive side of the ball is going to have big areas to fill because many of the former players have gone to the free agent market. The big area they will need to focus on is filling the middle of the line to stop the run. Many teams are trying to become a run style offense so it will be important to get that done.

It will be necessary to get one of their pending free agents back because it could help the depth of the team and allow the defense to continue what they did this year in being the best run defense in the NFL. The one thing they are missing is an edge pass rusher. In the draft this year, there isn’t a player that fits the 3-4 style so it will be difficult to draft any player for that specific role.

I think they should focus in the free agent market because there are some players that will be a big help. One person who could be a big upgrade is Von Miller of the Denver Broncos as he has had an incredible young career and is amongst the best in the league. It could cost a good amount of money to secure him but it will be a big upgrade.

The Jets should also look into getting young, physical cornerbacks as well. The age of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are causing them to slow down so it will be key to add depth.

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis (24) and safety Calvin Pryor (25) huddle up during introductions before the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The special teams is a huge problem that the Jets really need to fix because it had cost them many games. They were amongst the worst in giving up a tremendous amount of yards from a kickoff or punt. Most of their games this season the opponents started off in good field position and made it tough on the Jets’ defense.

It is hard to find a very good punter or kicker in the draft but they could possibly look to the draft to address these needs. Ryan Quigley was a decent punter but he had made too many mistakes. It will be interesting to see how the Jets organization handles this and how aggressive they are in fixing these problems on special teams.

The Jets have a lot of work to do in helping this team become better because they don’t want to go back to their losing ways. It is a necessity to address these problems because next season the opponents won’t be easy.

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Maccagnan has his hands full but he has the mindset that will allow him to be able to get this done. He just needs to make the right moves and just follow with the game plan the organization has set for this off season. They will need to be aggressive in getting the best players because other franchises will look to improve just like the Jets are. The team has done a good job so far in taking the correct steps in improving so hopefully by the time next season starts, upgrades will be in the key areas that needed to be improved.

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