NY Jets’ offensive line listed as the team’s ‘biggest reason for optimism’

The NY Jets completely revamped their offensive line providing hope for the 2020 season.

The NY Jets set out to do a number of things this offseason as general manager Joe Douglas looked to reshape a roster that had a few very noticeable holes.

From the wide receiver position to the secondary, Douglas bolstered a few glaring weaknesses on the roster through free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft. But no position received more attention than the offensive line.

Free agency brought new additions such as Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, and George Fant while the draft introduced Jets fans to behemoth offensive tackle prospect Mekhi Becton.

And the hope going into 2020 is that the new-look offensive line will provide a major boost to an offense that struggled mightily last season. For that reason, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding the position for the first time in a while.

And according to Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton, the offensive line is the No. 1 reason for optimism going into the new season.

Moton and Bleacher Report recently listed the biggest reason for optimism for each NFL team going into 2020 and the so-called “new faces on the offensive line” is what represented the Jets.

Below is an excerpt from what Moton had to say about the Jets’ new-and-improved offensive line.

“General manager Joe Douglas overhauled the offensive line. The front five could feature new primary starters at both tackle positions, center and on the interior.

Quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Le’Veon Bell should benefit from potential upgrades in the trenches, giving the Jets a shot to field an improved offensive attack”

The Jets’ new-look offensive line could do wonders for a struggling offense.

Simply put, the Jets’ offensive line play was abysmal in 2019. If it weren’t for the Miami Dolphins who had one of the worst offensive lines in NFL history from a statistical standpoint, the Jets’ line would have ranked dead last in nearly every category.

They ranked 31st in offensive line DVOA, 30th in pass-blocking, and 31st in run-blocking, per Football Outsiders. Meanwhile, the Jets ranked dead-last in yards per carry with an atrocious 3.3 average.

An improved offensive line will not only be able to help out a stagnant running game, but provide a boost to the passing game as well. As Moton insisted, Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell need help and the hope is that the offseason additions to the offensive line will give them that.

Of course, that remains to be seen, but as Moton said, there are reasons for optimism.

Here’s to hoping that optimism turns into actual results this season.