NY Jets: 2021 offseason has potential to set the team up for future success

The last decade of football has been excruciating to watch for NY Jets fans. The team has struggled to compete and has an abysmal 59-101 record since their last playoff appearance in 2010.

General manager Joe Douglas has his hands full turning this organization around but this offseason can help springboard the Jets in the right direction. Douglas already started this offseason off with a home run.

The Jets were able to snag highly-touted coaching candidate, Robert Saleh. The hire has been glorified by most within the fan base and the media. Saleh is the leader of the men this organization was looking for and can hopefully be the one to lead this team back to respectability.

The Jets are in a unique position where they are loaded with cap space and draft capital. The Jets are projected to have the second-most cap space in the league, with $62 million available prior to offseason cuts.

New York also is loaded with draft assets. They have four first-rounders over the next two years but that could potentially turn into five.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New York could get a late-first round pick for Sam Darnold if they decide to trade him. This gives Douglas even more flexibility to upgrade this team.

The NY Jets have plenty of assets at their disposal this offseason

Given the surplus of draft capital, Douglas could easily look to acquire disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson.

New York could offer Houston multiple first-rounders for Watson including the lucrative second overall pick. The Jets could trade three-first rounders for Watson and still have one in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Trading for the former 12th overall pick immediately makes this team better. Getting your franchise quarterback in this league is already hard enough so trading for a clear superstar is a no-brainer. Especially since Watson is signed through 2025.

If the Jets don’t trade for Watson, they would be able to build this team through the draft. The Jets have six picks in the top 100 in this upcoming draft.

New York would likely take either BYU’s Zach Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields with the second overall pick and build their team around him. They have the ability to draft premium positions of need like edge rusher, wide receiver, and cornerback throughout the draft.

The Jets have the capability to go after premier free agents as well. New York could look into signing free agents Allen Robinson, Joe Thuney, Brandon Scheff, or Matt Judon. If any of these players decide to sign with the Jets, they would significantly improve the roster.

Robinson would instantly become the number one receiver on this team. Thuney or Scherff would drastically upgrade the interior of this offensive line. Judon could bring a must-needed edge threat to a defense that desperately needs it.

It also looks like New York will have an interest in free-agent wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Will Fuller. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, both receivers appear to be atop of the Jets’ wishlist.

Whatever direction Douglas decides to choose, the Jets should have a lot of optimism moving forward. They have many resources and outlets to improve this roster and set themselves up for a successful future.