Jets will regret not upgrading offensive line this offseason

The New York Jets walked into one of the most important offseasons in recent memory. The team added and drafted many new faces, but will they end up regretting not focusing on the offensive line enough?

Every single New York Jets fan, player, coach, etc. had their sights set on the offseason. Why? The Jets found themselves in a stellar position in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the team also had a lot of money to play with.

Money and a strong spot in the draft finally signaled the franchise was ready to turn the page. It was a win-win situation for the Jets. They had enough money to try and net starters that would fill holes in much-needed positions, and they also had a first-round draft pick that would allow the same.

The Jets did a great job finding the suitable players to help make the team better via free agency and in the draft. In free agency, the team signed players like Trumaine Johnson, Isaiah Crowell, and Avery Williamson. Of course, we all know who the Jets took in the draft: Sam Darnold.

Obviously, the Jets didn’t only sign and draft the players said above. The players the team brought in are players that can and will be immediate impact players.

However, the Jets seemed to overlook one area in which the team still needs help: the offensive line. This could be something the team ends up regretting during the upcoming campaign.

Why regret?

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I want to throw a disclaimer out before this next section. Yes, the Jets did sign former Washington Redskins center Spencer Long, which is a solid singing. Also, yes, there are far-worse offensive line units in the NFL.

Is Long enough though? The Jets offensive line, a part of the team that was the backbone for years, has been one of the worst parts of this team recently.

Yes, players like Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and so on don’t come around all the time. But, the new way to construct NFL rosters is to load up on the front line.

Look at the Dallas Cowboys, the team that seemingly started this trend. The most talented and most important players for that team are on the offensive line, which is why their formula has been adopted across the league.

Now, I am not saying the Jets needed to go find players like the Cowboys, nor could they have. Although, there were some decent offensive linemen in both free agency and the draft that could have helped mightily.

The main two reasons the Jets may find themselves with a bit of regret for not addressing the O-line more this season? Quarterback and running back production.

Some of the Jets most notable acquisitions came at those two positions. Crowell and Darnold have already been mentioned, but Teddy Bridgewater is another name that may see his production fall without steady play in the trenches.

Must Read: Top 10 greatest draft selections of all-time by the Jets

If the offensive line cannot do a good job keeping pressure off the QB or making lanes for the running backs, that can lead to limited production and mistakes. The last thing the team and the fans want to see is iffy play from the signal callers, and mediocre running back play.

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