6 changes the NY Jets need to make to their roster ASAP

You can't lose games during the offseason in the NFL. Every team is undefeated. But then reality hits when the season starts, and a team's flaws come to light for all to see. That's precisely what happened in the NY Jets' 24-9 home loss Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. 

In today's day and age, knee-jerk reactions are commonplace, especially in sports. So hot takes that jump the gun prematurely are definitely in vogue after week one of the NFL season.

The teams that won in their opening games have heightened optimism, while more than half of the 32 squads that didn't are feeling despair. Some teams got consolation prizes with ties, but others are in more pain than others — see the Dallas Cowboys or, unfortunately, the New York Jets.

It's a regular occurrence in these parts for the Jets to start a new season on a sour note. Exhibit A: New York's current 13-game losing streak in the month of September. 

However, despite the ugliness of Sunday's loss to Baltimore, there were some positives, as challenging as it may be to see now. Some of the team's new players, rookies, and veterans alike had promising debuts in green and white. But there were some glaring issues with the players who did play.

Hence the reason for this article.

All hope is not lost. After all, It's a long season with 16 games left. However, the Jets' 2022 campaign can fall by the wayside quickly if the franchise fails to reset and reassess its roster. Like in weekly film study, the Jets' brain trust needs to utilize visual evidence from the opening week and make adjustments to improve the team.  

Let's examine what the Jets can do to rectify some of their most significant flaws.  

1. The Jets need to start Garrett Wilson and feature fewer tight ends

For old-school football fans and former Jets tight end/current St. Louis XFL head coach Anthony Becht, it was a beautiful sight seeing the Jets line up with three tight ends on their first play from scrimmage.

New York's game plan was to try and run against Baltimore, and they did have some early success against a formidable Ravens rush defense. However, featuring three tight ends, including a neophyte at the position in Lawrence Cager, did the team no favors in their passing game.

You can understand the premise of why the Jets dressed multiple tight ends as an exclusive offensive package. Part of it had to do with the rushing attack, but it was also an attempt to help with pass protection. The latter strategy flopped miserably. 

It's pretty apparent after one week that Garrett Wilson should be in the starting lineup, on the outside, with Elijah Moore utilized in the slot. Corey Davis is locked in as the Jets' permanent outside receiver for now — he is the most physical player in the receiving corps. 

For those who want to see Denzel Mims dressed and playing, the player who is prohibiting that is Corey Davis. Mims could dress as an added option over someone like Lawrence Cager, but his pathway to snaps and playing time is blocked at the moment.

There's nothing wrong with Braxton Berrios getting touches and playing in four-receiver sets as a complementary weapon, but the Jets must define the roles of their receivers and keep those positions consistent.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur needs to get his most talented passing targets on the field.

Moore can play on the outside, but he is more dangerous on the move, operating out of the slot. He can create separation and space better in that role.

Good coaching is all about putting your players in the best position to succeed. Blue-chip talents like Garrett Wilson should not be losing snaps to third or fourth-string tight ends, especially players who are projects at the position. 

The Jets do not have a valid go-to target in their passing game. It's not for lack of talent. The offensive scheme doesn't have a clear identity right now. Top-tier passing teams revolve around their best athletes.

The Jets need to sink or swim by doing that immediately. Feature your best players. 

2. The NY Jets need to get veteran depth at offensive tackle

Hopefully, Duane Brown is not out for the entire season. Based on recent history with the Jets and their premature prognosis on players, you can't rule it out.

It's not like Robert Saleh's recent comments are helping build optimism after he told the media that he is "hopeful" that Brown can return this season.

Regardless of whether Brown returns or not, in Week 5, 6, or beyond, Joe Douglas needs to bring in veteran insurance at offensive tackle, not just because Max Mitchell struggled mightily in Week 1, but because you have to prepare for the worst scenario.

What if George Fant gets injured in the next few weeks? Then what? There are veteran options available through trade or free agency. Whether that be making a deal with the Chicago Bears for Tevin Jenkins or signing a veteran like Daryl Williams, the Jets must address their depth at tackle.

Joe Douglas apologists will justifiably excuse him for the Jets' current issues at offensive tackle — and in some respects, rightfully so. After all, who could have envisioned that both Mekhi Becton and his replacement Duane Brown would go down to injury?

But a general manager's job is to cover all bases and roll with the punches when things go south. The job requirement of fortifying a roster doesn't stop just because of unforeseen adversity. There's no such thing as unanticipated regarding being a general manager.

Some people will give Max Mitchell a break for his performance on Sunday. The 'what did you expect, he's only a rookie' crowd will come to his defense.

Defenders will state that Mitchell's performance in Week 1 could've been worse. Some will argue that since the Jets have four quality offensive-line starting options, you can live with one weak starter.

The problem with that mindset is that you can't camouflage a weakness in the NFL. Teams will exploit it. No matter how hard you try to give a player help. What ends up happening in that scenario is that other players are now tasked with helping someone else do their job.

When you are weak in one spot, it weakens an entire unit. Fewer passing options are available to you on pass downs, and your play designs become about avoiding disaster rather than making positive plays. 

Maybe Mitchell will grow into his role as time progresses. But for now, the Cleveland Browns are rightfully salivating at playing the Jets' offensive line.

Mitchell is not in the Jets' starting lineup because he blew away the competition and vaulted himself to prominence as Jason Fabini did years ago. He is playing because there are no other options, and the people in charge of getting those options need to get to work.

Even if you believe in Mitchell as a starter, the Jets need viable options behind him and Fant if they were to get hurt. Otherwise, Nate Herbig could be starting at guard with Alijah Vera-Tucker returning to his college position. Either that or Grant Hermmans enters center stage.

I wish you good luck with that. 

3. The NY Jets should use their DL surplus to upgrade areas of need

The one area where the Jets have an overabundance of quality players is their defensive line. The Jets have 10 defensive linemen on their 53-man roster. Nearly 20 percent of the team's 53 is comprised of players on the defensive front.

Sometimes, too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

The Jets had to sit out talented edge rusher Bryce Huff on Sunday because they had no roster room. The team can use their defensive surplus to their advantage by trying to deal away one of their rotational players to a team that has a need in exchange for a player who can fortify an area of weakness for New York.

The Jets have talked about having a deep rotational system on their defensive line all summer, but on game day, there isn't a need for an eighth, ninth, or even 10th defensive lineman over having immediate depth in other weaker areas.

The Jets should want to maximize the snaps of Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams, and rookies like Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons rather than limit them.

Keep in mind that the Jets also have three defensive linemen on their practice squad in defensive end Bradlee Anae and defensive tackles Jonathan Marshall and Tanzel Smart. It's not like the team isn't already stacked in this department, and they can afford to make a deal from their loaded deck. 

Beyond the Jets' talented reserve linemen, the team has other players who have value that they could trade in the coming weeks. Wide receiver Denzel Mims and cornerback Bryce Hall come to mind.

Mims is WR6 and Hall is effectively CB4 on the roster. Both players are young and talented enough to garner interest, and perhaps playing in a different scheme could benefit them. Joe Douglas needs to leverage players like them to bring in talents who are better fits for the roster. 

4. The NY Jets need better options at safety

There are three areas where the Jets have depth issues. Offensive tackle, nickel cornerback, and safety. We've focused on the offensive tackle position, so let's take a look at two key spots in the secondary.

The Jets do not have a viable long-term answer at safety opposite Jordan Whitehead. The short-term solution, veteran Lamarcus Joyner, had a miserable opening game, and it's been a while since Joyner has been a quality NFL player.

The team's two Week 1 backups at safety were undrafted player Tony Adams and disappointing third-year defensive back Ashtyn Davis. If Joyner, who missed all of 2021, doesn't improve his level of play soon, the Jets are going to need a different answer at the position.

The problem is that the two players behind him are questionable alternatives. Ashtyn Davis's body of work leaves a lot to be desired while Adams is entirely unproven. 

If there is a position on the team where the Jets should be looking for a long-term answer, it's at safety, and it's the one weak spot in the starting secondary that could hold the unit back from being elite. In the offseason, everyone tried to marry Marcus Williams and Tyrann Mathieu to the Jets, but those marriages never happened.

Douglas needs to work the phones, looking for an upgrade. Veteran safeties are available on the open market, like Jaquiski Tartt, who has experience with Robert Saleh. However, the safety/linebacker hybrid may not fit what the Jets need at the position. There are other vets out there like Tashaun Gipson.

The pipedream would be for the Jets to swing a deal for star safeties Jessie Bates (Bengals) or Jimmie Ward (49ers). Both will be free agents next season and are looking for sizable deals.

Therein lies the rub. Even if they inquired, the Jets are very tight against the cap right now. They had to re-work C.J. Mosley's deal to give themselves some in-season wiggle room. Be that as it may, one way or another, the team has to find a better option at safety than what they currently have with Joyner.

Unfortunately, the Jets had what appeared to be a long-term, in-house option at safety in Jason Pinnock, but the team let him go at final cuts. Subsequently, he was snapped up by the New York Giants. There are no do-overs in the NFL. Pinnock is the one that got away, that shouldn't have.

The Jets put all their faith in Tony Adams. That faith may have to be tested with Adams ascending to a starting role over Joyner. In the meantime, the Jets have elevated Will Parks to the 53-man roster.

New York is lucky that they were able to get Parks on their practice squad after he was cut. Parks has been a better player with the Jets than Joyner has. Now, with Whitehead looking iffy for Week 2, the team's depth comes more into question.

5. The NY Jets need nickel cornerback insurance

Pinnock isn't the only player the Jets let go that would've aided the team's depth in their secondary. 

The team also released nickel cornerback Javelin Guidry, who initially landed with Arizona and is now on the Raiders' active roster. The Jets do not have a viable backup slot cornerback on their roster. 

In the event that New York loses Michael Carter II to injury, the team would be faced with moving D.J. Reed to the slot or giving Brandin Echols snaps at the position. Both fallback options would weaken the team.

As a band-aid to address this area, the Jets have signed Jimmy Moreland to their practice squad. It's entirely possible that he needs up being elevated from the practice squad to the main roster on game day because there are no other viable alternatives at the nickel spot behind Michael Carter II.

Right now, New York's strength is their electric starting duo at outside corner. Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed had fantastic Week 1 performances and could become the Jets' best cornerback duo since Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

There's no reason to break up the 2022 band. 

Keeping Javelin Guidry wouldn't have moved mountains, but it would've been a clever play. Bryce Hall and Echols are more suited to the outside, and Carter needs a direct backup who has experience playing the slot.

Finding a Guidry type is easier said than done. Everyone in the league is desperate for quality cornerback play. The Jets do have cornerback Craig James on their practice squad, but he is more noted for his special team's prowess than as a cover cornerback.

The nickel spot is something that the Jets need to scour closely on the open market and throughout the league. The Jets can't afford an injury to Carter.  

6. It's time for the NY Jets to punt on Braden Mann

Jets punter Braden Mann is banged up but looks like he could play in Week 2. The team signed veteran punter/kicker Ty Long to their practice squad this week. It appears he's just insurance, but you could argue that Mann should be replaced altogether.

The Jets' 2020 draft class curse continues. Douglas's first draft with the team has been a disaster, and that, unfortunately, includes punter Braden Mann, who showed some promise in his early days with the team.

In the old days, one of the tactics used by master motivators like Bill Parcells was to publicly and privately call out his players for their performance. Essentially, putting their jobs on notice. The legendary 'Tuna' was notorious for being especially hard on his kicking specialists.

Parcells would invite and work out several free agents a day after his punter or kicker showed any struggles. In many ways, it was a warning to not only those specific players, but to his entire team.

Ultimately, it would be a final warning toward the player who was on the proverbial chopping block. One more slip-up and you are gone. 

In 2022, something tells me that Robert Saleh and very few others would take that same approach. However, based on his substandard level of play in recent seasons, it's time for the Jets to seriously consider other options at punter.

The Ty Long signing doesn't appear on the surface to be a message or warning notice to Mann, but there's only a certain amount of time before your draft status stops giving you immunity.

A year ago, Thomas Morstead, who is now with the Miami Dolphins, was phenomenal with the Jets when Mann was injured early in the season. If not for Mann's draft status, Morstead would still be in green and white.

Braden Mann's time with the Jets has reached its breaking point. The former Ray Guy Award winner at Texas A&M was drafted with the idea that he would be a weapon for the team, not a liability shanking 20-yard punts.

The Jets need to strongly consider giving him the boot.