Top 5 most valuable players on roster
By Richard Rodgers
Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets have a plethora of talented players on their roster, but there is a select group of players that they could not go on without.
General manager Mike Maccagnan of the New York Jets has done a great of bringing various different talents to the franchise. Maccagnan has brought in several players that will and have held a ton of value to the organization.
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The Jets have many players of high value on both sides of the football. Each player playing a specific role to help the team in unique way.
With all that being said, there are only a certain number of players that rise to the top as the most valuable on the roster. Here are the top five most valuable players on the current roster of the Jets.
Next: 5. One of the league's best cornerbacks
Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis (24) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
5. Cornerback Darrelle Revis
We may have seen a slight decline in the play of cornerback Darrelle Revis during the 2015-2016 season, but there is still no denying Revis’ sky-high value to the Jets. Who knows where they would have ended up last season, if it weren’t for Revis’ ability as a lock-down corner.
Revis remains one of the elite cornerbacks in today’s game, with his ability to be very disruptive to any team’s aerial attack. It would be difficult to find a receiver in today’s game that would be excited to take a trip to “Revis Island”.
Despite the fact that the Jets managed to survive two games without Revis last season, they absolutely could not afford to lose him for an extended period of time. His presence in the defensive backfield elevates every other players ability, and glues the defense together.
Revis will remain one of the most valuable pieces of the Jets for at least a few more years. His coverage ability makes him completely irreplaceable.
Next: 4. A dominant defensive lineman
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (6) passes the ball as he is chased by New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during game the at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
4. Defensive End Muhammad Wilkerson
Coming off of an absolutely dominant season with the Jets, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson checks in as the Jets’ fourth most valuable player. The twenty-six-year old recorded twelve sacks and 67 combined tackles over the course of his fifth season in the NFL.
Wilkerson can do everything that would be asked of an NFL defensive lineman at a very high level. He rushes the passer, clogs the running lanes and serves as an excellent leader for the younger players on the team.
While the Jets do have some other very talented defensive linemen in Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams, neither of them could replace Wilkerson’s production at this point in their respective careers. Losing Wilkerson would be very bad news for the Jets’ defense.
If the Jets want their defensive line to continue its dominance in the future, they will have to find a way to keep Wilkerson for the long-term. If he maintains his health, he is certainly in store for a hugely productive 2016-2017 season.
Next: 3. A running back who can do it all
3. Running Back Matt Forte
Arguably the most prized offseason acquisition of the Jets, running back Matt Forte is sure to play a huge role within their offense during the 2016-2017 season. Forte’s all-around skill-set makes him one of the best backs that the NFL has to offer.
Forte’s production is almost impossible to overlook as he has been one of the league’s best dual-threat running backs since he was drafted in 2008. The former Chicago Bear has career averages of 1,075 rushing yards and 515 receiving yards per season. These numbers would be even higher if it weren’t for some injury issues throughout Forte’s career.
He can do anything that an NFL running back is expected to do at a very high level including rushing, receiving and picking up the blitz. He is even capable of being effective in the slot, which is an extremely rare trait for a running back.
The Jets will need to do everything they can to keep Forte healthy for all sixteen of the Jets games this upcoming season. He will undoubtedly be one of the their most valuable players.
Next: 2. The rock of Jets' offensive line
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) snaps the ball against the New York Giants during overtime at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
2. Center Nick Mangold
Center Nick Mangold has been one of the most valuable players on the team throughout his tenure with the Jets, and he will continue that trend during the 2016-2017 season. The thirty-two-year old has been one of the league’s best centers for several years.
Mangold brings a lot to the table as one of the most complete players to ever put on a Jets uniform. His ability as both a run and pass blocker has been exemplary for the entirety of his career.
His leadership has also been instrumental for the Jets over the past bunch of years. His experience, knowledge of the game and willingness to be vocal has helped some of the younger players on the team in a big way.
The Jets better hope that Mangold sees a lot more football in his future. He will certainly be missed around Florham Park when he decides to call it a career.
Next: 1. Could he be the best wide receiver of all-time for the Jets?
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
1. Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall
After what was arguably the most impressive season of his career, wide receiver Brandon Marshall checks in as the most valuable player on the Jets. Marshall qualified for his sixth Pro Bowl last seaso, and he was also selected to the second All-Pro team.
Marshall has been one of the league’s most dominant players on offense for the majority of his ten-year career. He had a streak of seven consecutive seasons in which he had over one thousand yards receiving before an injury riddled 2014-2015 season.
Marshall’s prowess as a receiver also helps out many of his teammates significantly. The attention that Marshall draws from opposing defenses gives other receivers on the Jets much more favorable matchups, and it keeps opposing defenses from completely filling the box against the run.
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The medical staff of the Jets will need to repeat their 2015-2016 performance by keeping Marshall from missing any games. Gang Green is banking on another incredible season from their superstar receiver.