NY Jets: 3 best moves made in the 2020 offseason

The NY Jets made a number of excellent moves in the offseason. We take a look at three of them.

As shocking as it is, we’re already nearing the end of the 2020 offseason, one in which the NY Jets have been quite busy. General manager Joe Douglas made several key moves this offseason and brought in a plethora of new faces.

This was an important offseason for the green and white. Sam Darnold is entering his third season and the team has struggled to surround him with the talent he needs thus far.

It was also Douglas’ first chance to place his imprint on the franchise — and he didn’t disappoint.

Outside of surrounding Darnold with talent, a primary focus of the offseason for Douglas was bringing in leaders, whether they be depth pieces or day one starters. I think most would agree that he succeeded at that as well.

All in all, I think this was a successful first offseason for Douglas. He brought in some starters, and plenty of depth, all while sticking to his own budget.

Out of all the moves made, some stand out to me. Yes, the second-year general manager made several good moves, but there are a few that really intrigue me, all three being guys that I think can make an immediate impact on the team.

Next: 1. Drafting Denzel Mims

1. The NY Jets drafted Denzel Mims in the second round

The Jets used a second-round pick on Baylor wideout Denzel Mims in this year’s draft, a move that could give them a piece to build around at a position they’ve lacked consistency from the last several years.

The team desperately needed to add a pass catcher in the draft, and general manager Joe Douglas did that in the form of Mims.

Mims is a big-bodied target for Sam Darnold and can become a mainstay outside for years to come. He’s the perfect receiver to complement the speed the Jets have in the receiver room.

And he certainly provides his fair share of deep speed as well.

Adding a player like Mims also gives the Jets a little more depth at receiver. This allows them to afford to lose a guy for a game or two and still have a respectable group of wideouts.

The month before signing Mims, the Jets inked former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Breshad Perriman to a one-year deal. Perriman and Mims figure to be the starters on the outside, while Jamison Crowder will man the slot.

I can’t stress enough how great of a move drafting Mims was by Douglas. He traded down, acquired more picks in the draft, and still came out of the second with one of the top receivers in the class.

I’m extremely excited to watch Darnold and Mims get to work on building a rapport on and off the field. If all goes well, drafting Denzel Mims could be one of the best moves Douglas makes in his tenure as Jets general manager. Keep in mind, he’s only in his second year.

If that doesn’t get you excited about the future, I don’t know what will.

Next: 2. Signing Connor McGovern

2. The NY Jets signed free-agent center Connor McGovern

Offensive line was a big priority for Joe Douglas this offseason. We knew going in that Douglas wanted to bring in as many faces as possible to protect Darnold. He did that and then some.

My top targets on the offensive line were former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin and the aforementioned Connor McGovern. The Cleveland Browns ended up with Conklin, while the Jets signed McGovern to a three-year deal.

McGovern is an established veteran in the NFL and brings an immediate prescience to the Jets’ offensive line.

The team has lacked a talented center since Nick Mangold retired and even though McGovern is 27-years-old, he has the chance to be a mainstay at center for the next few years.

McGovern was one of several moves made by Joe Douglas on the offensive line this offseason. To me though, he’s the most significant, even more significant than first-round pick Mekhi Becton.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Becton and think he has the ceiling of a top tackle in the league, but bringing McGovern in was a brilliant move by Douglas.

As I stated, McGovern is 27, and a veteran in the league. He brings a veteran prescience to a young Jets line, and more importantly, can teach 23-year-old Sam Darnold a thing or two about protections.

Next: 3. Not signing a big name CB in free agency

3. The NY Jets did not sign a big-name cornerback in free agency

One of the best moves the Jets made this offseason wasn’t a move at all. It was the opposite.

There were several big-name cornerbacks on the market in free agency— the top three being Byron Jones, James Bradberry, and Chris Harris Jr.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: 3 offensive linemen who are realistic trade targets
• NY Jets: 3 reasons to be optimistic about the 2021 season
• NY Jets: Analyzing the ways to upgrade the cornerback position
• NY Jets are ‘the only viable’ landing spot for Deshaun Watson
• NY Jets: 5 linebackers to target in 2021 free agency

Many may have been upset by the fact that Douglas decided to pass on a big-name corner as there’s at least a slight need at the position. To me though, the team is perfectly fine with what they have at the position.

Earlier in the offseason, the Jets signed former Indianapolis Colts defensive back Pierre Desir to a one-year deal. He’s expected to start alongside second-year cornerback Blessuan Austin, who gave the Jets great production in the latter months of last season.

Adding to what they already had, the team used a late-round pick on Virginia corner Bryce Hall, who many had a second or third-round grade on. He, along with Austin and Desir, gives the Jets plenty of depth at the position.

There was just no need to spend big money on a cornerback this offseason, especially after the hell the Jets were put through after signing Trumaine Johnson a few offseasons ago.

Not paying a cornerback was one of the best moves Joe Douglas made this year, and he gets an ‘A’ in my book for that.

I’m fully committed to the young talent the Jets have at the cornerback position, and it seems Douglas and company are as well