5 bold predictions for NY Jets entering the 2024 season

The NY Jets are entering one of the most important seasons in recent franchise history in 2024. General manager Joe Douglas has constructed a roster that looks primed to compete for not only a playoff spot but a potential Super Bowl run.

But until the Jets prove it on the field, the offseason hype and pre-season chatter don't matter. Winning is the only thing that can change the narrative around the organization.

This Jets team has so many variables entering 2024 that it's difficult to predict exactly how the season will unfold. From injury concerns to general uncertainty, the Jets are one of the most fascinating teams this year.

That's what makes a list like this so challenging to put together. Here's a look at five bold predictions for the Jets entering the 2024 season.

5. Joe Tippmann will have a Pro Bowl-caliber season

Much has been made about the Jets' new-look offensive line this offseason, and rightfully so. Tyron Smith is a future Hall of Famer, Morgan Moses is a rock-solid starting right tackle, John Simpson is a low-cost, high-upside pickup, and Alijah Vera-Tucker is looking to return to his pre-injury form.

But the one projected starter on this year's offensive line who did start for most of 2023 is Joe Tippmann, and while the others have received most of the attention, he deserves his share of hype as well.

Tippmann steadily improved throughout the 2023 season after being thrust into the starting lineup with his best performances coming late in the year. That's incredibly encouraging, especially given the situation he was placed in.

Tippmann was forced to play alongside 13 different offensive linemen as a rookie, with a rotating cast of practice squad guards and Laken Tomlinson next to him. He even switched positions midway through the season.

Now is the time to buy your Joe Tippmann stock. Don't be surprised if Tippmann finishes the year as arguably the Jets' best offensive lineman. The arrow is pointing firmly up as he enters his second pro season.

4. Will McDonald won't take a second-year leap

We're not only going to make positive predictions on this list, unfortunately. For the sake of objectivity, we have to make at least a couple of negative bold predictions, and we'll start with a certain former first-round pick the Jets are counting on to take a second-year leap in 2024.

The Will McDonald pick was a controversial one at the time, and while the former Iowa State standout has impressed in limited playing time, his role moving forward remains undefined.

McDonald seems to be pigeonholed into the role Bryce Huff filled for most of his Jets career as a third-down pass-rush specialist who plays roughly 25 percent of snaps per game.

The Jets don't trust McDonald as a run defender at the moment and have been vocal about their desire for him to put on more weight. That's not exactly a conducive situation for the second-year breakout many Jets fans expect from him.

McDonald will have his moments in 2024, but anyone expecting a Jermaine Johnson-like leap from him this season is likely going to be disappointed.

3. Breece Hall will be the NFL's best running back

Breece Hall's 2023 season might go down as one of the most underappreciated seasons by a running back in recent NFL history. The former second-round pick returned less than 12 months after tearing his ACL and emerged as one of the league's most dynamic offensive playmakers.

Hall finished fourth in the NFL in total scrimmage yards behind only Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, and CeeDee Lamb. McCaffrey, Hill, and Lamb all played in top-five offenses. Hall played in the league's 31st-ranked offense.

He accomplished all of that less than one full calendar year after tearing his ACL while playing alongside historically inept quarterback play and 14 different offensive linemen.

What might Hall be able to do with hopefully competent quarterback and offensive line play, and now that he's another year removed from his injury? Hall might very well be seen as the NFL's premier running back by the time the season's over. Realistically, he only has McCaffrey to catch.

2. Malachi Corley will mostly be a non-factor for the NY Jets

One more less-than-ideal bold prediction is regarding a player the Jets still have very high hopes for. Despite his slow start this summer, Malachi Corley is held in very high regard by the Jets' coaching staff and front office.

The Jets wouldn't have aggressively pursued him as much as they did during the 2024 NFL Draft if they didn't believe he could be a long-term building block in their offense. Unfortunately, that's going to take some time.

Corley is firmly the fifth wide receiver on the Jets' depth chart entering the season and doesn't really have a defined role. The Jets utilized him almost exclusively on manufactured touches in the preseason, and that gadget-type role figures to be how he will contribute on offense in 2024.

There's even a chance Corley could be rendered a healthy scratch in Week 1 if he isn't able to secure one of the kick returner jobs. The Jets still believe in Corley's upside, but he remains a major work in progress at the moment.

I wouldn't count on Corley playing a significant role in the Jets' offense as a rookie.

1. The NY Jets will trade for Davante Adams

This is the big one. The Jets have been flirting on and off with Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams since the team acquired Aaron Rodgers last offseason.

An Adams trade has felt inevitable on multiple occasions, but for one reason or another, talks always fell through. That could change this year, however.

Adams' contract is very tradable and the Jets are expected to pursue the former All-Pro wide receiver at the deadline if he's available. You have to imagine Adams will be more than happy to reunite with Rodgers in Florham Park as well.

It all comes down to the Raiders. If Las Vegas is willing to play ball and listen to offers, there's a very good chance this gets done. After months of flirting, these two sides might finally join forces this season.

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