NY Jets: 3 things on the team’s 2020 Christmas wish list

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The NY Jets have these three things on their 2020 Christmas wish list.

The NY Jets haven’t enjoyed a very successful 2020. Their 1-13 record is the best evidence of this, but one look up and down the roster and coaching staff should suffice as well.

This is a bad team — a very bad team. And by the looks of things, they will have to do a lot of work to ensure that they aren’t a bad team next year.

For that reason, the 2021 offseason will be a crucial one for this franchise as general manager Joe Douglas and company look to bolster a roster that is one of the weakest in the NFL.

In the spirit of the holidays, we thought it would be helpful to put together some sort of Christmas wish list for the Jets heading into the new year.

After all, Christmas is a time for giving, and what better way to give than to analyze what the Jets need most this offseason?

In reality, the Jets feasibly need a complete overhaul of the organization — at least in terms of their roster and coaching staff. But which needs are most pressing at the moment?

If the Jets had three Christmas wishes, what would they use them on?

We take a look at an abbreviated Christmas wish list for the 2020 Jets.

Next: 3. A star edge rusher

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3. The NY Jets should wish for a star edge rusher

This is something that has realistically been on the Jets’ Christmas wish list for close to two decades now. But over 15 years since the departure of the great John Abraham, the Jets still haven’t found a suitable replacement.

The team has had its fair share of acceptable, productive pass-rushers over the years. Here’s looking at you, Calvin Pace. But no player has been able to match the stardom and game-changing ability of Abraham.

Now, entering the 2021 offseason, the organization is certainly overdue.

Joe Douglas will have the opportunity to finally land a star edge rusher this offseason whether that comes in free agency or the draft. The Jets may have a lot of holes, but this is one that can’t be ignored any longer.

In free agency, players like Bud Dupree, Shaquil Barrett, and Matt Judon could be intriguing to Douglas. While they could always look to use their second first-round pick on a promising young pass rusher.

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Either way, it would certainly benefit the Jets to add a difference-making edge rusher this offseason. Imagine how good someone like Quinnen Williams could be with an improved edge rush presence.

Dupree and Barrett, in particular, represent expensive albeit explosive options provided they hit the open market.

The Jets are wishing for a shiny new defensive playmaker this holiday season.

Next: 2. An improved offensive supporting cast

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY Sports

2. The NY Jets should wish for an improved offensive supporting cast

The Jets ultimately failed Sam Darnold due to their inability to surround him with a proper supporting cast. But the team could ill-afford to make the same mistake with their next young quarterback.

And on the off-chance that Darnold does return in 2021, they’d sure like to provide him with an improved offensive situation.

The offensive line overhaul began last offseason with the addition of first-round pick Mekhi Becton. Becton looks well on his way to becoming one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL, but the remainder of the line is still a work in progress.

The Jets must continue to bolster the offensive line, perhaps in the form of a high-profile player like Joe Thuney or Brandon Scherff. Either way, it’s safe to say the guard duo of Alex Lewis and Greg Van Roten isn’t going to cut it next season.

Elsewhere, the Jets must continue to add playmakers on offense — particularly at the wide receiver position. Denzel Mims was an excellent pickup in Round 2 last offseason, but the team’s work is far from done.

Acquiring a true No. 1 receiver — or at least another starting-caliber player — would go a long way toward improving the situation for whoever is taking snaps under center next year.

Guys like Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, and Corey Davis are intriguing options depending on who hits free agency. The draft is another possible avenue the Jets could take.

Douglas must do a much better job of improving the Jets’ offensive supporting cast in his second offseason with the organization.

Next: 1. A new coaching staff

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. The NY Jets should wish for a new coaching staff

Above all else, the Jets need a new head coach. And in reality, they need a complete overhaul of their current coaching staff.

It isn’t a stretch to say that this offseason could prove to be one of the most important coaching searches in the history of the Jets’ franchise. After setting the organization back years with the Adam Gase hire, the Jets can ill-afford to make the same mistake again.

Simply put, ownership must get this hire right, or else they risk setting the organization even further back and possibly ruining another excellent quarterback prospect — be that Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, etc.

The placement of the Jets’ first-round pick will largely determine the attractiveness of their job opening. If they manage to land the top pick and secure a chance at Lawrence, it’s safe to say that their job will be one of the most attractive in the NFL.

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If not, things become a lot sketchier.

Regardless, the Jets can’t make the same mistake they made with Gase. Gase was destined to fail from the very beginning and it’s quite amazing he’s managed to last this long in New York.

Improving the roster remains important, but the entire tone of the offseason will be determined by who the Jets hire. If they go for another failed retread, expect the offseason to have a dark cloud hanging over it.

But if they hire an up-and-coming, highly-regarded coaching candidate, optimism surrounding the future of the franchise will rise exponentially.

NY Jets: 3 players who could be the team’s quarterback in 2021. Next

The Jets have been naughty this year, but they’re hoping that Santa Claus cuts them some slack and fulfills their Christmas wishes.

After all, they’ve been given their fair share of coal over the years. They’re due for a Christmas miracle.

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