NY Jets 2019 vs. 2022: Comparing Joe Douglas' first roster to the current team

While the results are yet to change for the NY Jets, Joe Douglas has done a great job of rebuilding this roster since he took over back in June of 2019, and this is no more evident than when taking a look at the depth chart of this squad.

A team that once lacked top-tier talent, depth, and any type of direction finally has all of that and then some. With the current youth movement, it's hard for Jets fans not to be optimistic about this team going forward.

The Jets will still have to prove this on the field behind second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, but so far in Douglas' tenure, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives.

So today, let's take a deeper dive into this idea and compare each position group from 2019 when Joe Douglas took over to the squad that will take the field for Gang Green in 2022.

The NY Jets are in a similar, but better position at QB

Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco vs. Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian, Luke Falk

Quarterback has been a position the Jets have been desperate to fill for decades now, and while Zach Wilson remains unproven, the optimism surrounding him and his talents is palpable. Now, he needs to go out there, improve, and show fans and the team what he can do.

This is eerily similar to the position the Jets found themselves in with Sam Darnold back in 2019, and unfortunately, all Jets fans are praying that this one doesn't turn out the way things did with Darnold.

While it may not be all Darnold's fault, the supporting cast around Wilson is just way superior to what his predecessor had. With improved depth, the Jets are putting their QBs in a much better position to succeed than the 2019 squad was given.

Verdict: Wilson is still unproven, but the overall build of the QB position from top to bottom means the 2022 squad is much stronger.

The current NY Jets running back room is young and could be one of the best in the AFC

Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman vs. Le'Veon Bell, Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire

Running back is a position the Jets have had relative success with recently, and after adding another excellent one in the 2022 NFL Draft in Breece Hall, this could arguably be the strongest group on the team in the upcoming season.

Compare that to 2019 when the Jets paid Le'Veon Bell way more than they should have in free agency, and the difference is night and day. The offensive line combined with the wear and tear on Bell's body meant that he never even came close to living up to the price tag.

With an improved line and all-around talent on offense, the young duo of Hall and Michael Carter are being given every chance to make a name for themselves and could be lethal for years to come.

Verdict: The young duo of Carter and Hall give the current Jets a clear edge, as well as the depth edge with Tevin Coleman coming in at No. 3 on the depth chart.

The NY Jets wide receiver group is the best the team has had since Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall

Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Garrett Wilson vs. Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder

The Jets have gone to work over the last year to surround their young QB with talent, and although the QB situation was similar back in 2019, then general manager Mike Maccagnan decided to not go with this approach.

In just two offseasons, Douglas has added Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson in the draft while also signing Corey Davis in free agency. This gives the Jets their best wide receiver room since the historic season experienced by Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall back in 2015.

Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder were good players for the Jets, as was Quincy Enunwa until his career-ending injury, but it just wasn't enough to help Sam Darnold. Here's hoping that this current group for the Jets can develop the way we all expect.

Verdict: Once again, the current group features youth, depth, and talent that the 2019 one simply can't match.

Tight end is a position the Jets have needed to improve for years, and Joe Douglas did just that

C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert vs. Ryan Griffin, Chris Herndon, Trevon Wesco

Outside of Dustin Keller, even the most dedicated Jets fans would struggle to name a tight end in recent memory that could be considered 'good,' but in the 2022 offseason, Douglas managed to snag two, potentially three that could fit that tag.

C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin have the ability to help Zach Wilson and combine for 1,000 yards in the air, and with Jeremy Ruckert, considered the most well-rounded tight end in the draft, we dare say that this position has now become a genuine strength for Gang Green.

Compare that to 2019, where the Jets had potential, but due to poor coaching and a less than stellar protection up front, the team just couldn't get the tight ends involved, and all three in that group are considered below-average, unlike this 2022 squad.

Verdict: The 2022 team has talent, experience, and potential, whereas the 2019 team just wasn't up to standard.

This current NY Jets offensive line could be one of the best in the AFC

George Fant, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton vs. Kelvin Beachum, Alex Lewis, Jonotthan Harrison, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell

It seems that every offensive group has improved under Joe Douglas, but nowhere is it more apparent than when looking at the offensive line — a place that Douglas promised he would improve when he took the job back in 2019.

This unit is night and day compared to when Douglas took over, and even though it took him a few years to get this squad together, it's quickly become a top-tier unit that could be one of the best in the NFL.

All Jets fans rue the way that the Sam Darnold era ended in New York, and while his talents may not have translated to the NFL, it's safe to say that with this wall in front of him, things could have turned out very differently.

Verdict: The Jets roster is completely different than in 2019, and with very talented players at each position, none has improved more than this unit.

The NY Jets defensive line remains solid, if not spectacular

Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson vs. Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson

The Jets have always tried to pride themselves on the defensive side of the ball, and while this current defensive line unit hasn't completely proven themselves, they have the potential to be great if everyone can stay healthy.

Beyond the three names, they also have Jermaine Johnson and Sheldon Rankins, and when you consider the depth and combination of skill and experience, this group should be way ahead of the 2019 version.

Lawson has the potential to be one of the best pass-rushers in the game, and if he can recover from his injury and get back to full health, this group under Robert Saleh could propel these Jets to several wins in 2022.

Verdict: While close, this current group edges out the 2019 version due to the potential of Lawson and 2022 first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson.

The NY Jets linebacker corps has been steady for the last few seasons

C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Marcell Harris vs. C.J. Mosley, Neville Hewitt, Avery Williamson

The Jets in their prime years (2009-2010) relied heavily on their defense, and while the likes of Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie stole the headlines, their solid linebacker corps led by David Harris was a big part of the success.

While C.J. Mosley won't likely be spoken of in the same breath, he's been leading this group for quite some time now, despite significant time away, and he's got a big job ahead of him in 2022 paired with the young duo of Quincy Williams and likely Marcell Harris.

The 2019 pairing alongside him was more experienced, but this young team right now has plenty of potential. If the Jets don't find success with this group in 2022, this will be one spot that Joe Douglas has to deal with in next year's offseason.

Verdict: We've yet to see significant success from the current group, and given the depth around C.J. Mosley back in 2019, we've got to give it to that unit.

The NY Jets cornerback group has the chance to be one of the best in the league in 2022

Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II vs. Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole

The Jets have completely transformed their cornerback group this past offseason adding D.J. Reed and the best corner in the draft in Sauce Gardner, thus giving the team the star power they severely lacked in 2019.

Then general manager Mike Maccaganan thought he had landed a superstar corner in Trumaine Johnson, but that, unfortunately, turned out to be one of the worst free agency signings in Jets history.

Brian Poole was a solid slot corner, but the current Jets squad has two stars on the outside, as well as plenty of young depth from the likes of Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols, making this a much deeper and more talented group.

Verdict: Trumaine Johnson alone makes the 2022 group a better one, but this current group is just more talented and way deeper than what the Jets ran out in 2019.

The NY Jets' homegrown safety group in 2019 was one of the best in the league

Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis vs. Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Rontez Miles

While Jets fans may not be particularly fond of Jamal Adams since his antics that led to a trade to the Seattle Seahawks, he was once one of the most popular players on the team and arguably the best safety in the entire NFL at the time.

Alongside Adams was former second-round pick Marcus Maye, and together, the two blended their styles perfectly. While it didn't lead to the playoff success that they and many within the organization wanted and expected, they were a fun combination to watch.

In 2022, the team nabbed Jordan Whitehead from Tampa Bay in free agency, and while he isn't seen as one of the top safeties in the league, he's more than solid.

Joining him will be a combination of Lamarcus Joyner and Ashtyn Davis, and if they can be anywhere near solid, the Jets will be over the moon.

Verdict: While this year's team has the potential to be good, the 2019 squad produced two homegrown stars, so this is a win for the 2019 group.

Braden Mann has been a mostly consistent punter for the NY Jets

Braden Mann vs. Lachlan Edwards

While punting was hardly the problem for the struggling Jets back in 2019, Lachlan Edwards wasn't quite as consistent as Braden Mann has been, despite all the extra workload he had while the offense struggled mightily.

Both men had their upsides and their downsides, but ultimately, Mann is seen as the future of the punting position at the Jets. If the team struggles again, he will be counted on to help the Jets in the field position battle as they look to get out of the cellar of the AFC.

Verdict: This battle comes out to be about even, as neither man was considered among the elite in the NFL, but both were very serviceable as punters for Gang Green.

Kickers have been a sore spot for the NY Jets in recent memory

Greg Zuerlein vs. Sam Ficken

Ever since Joe Douglas took over the Jets, they've been struggling mightily to find a consistent kicker, but not for a lack of trying as they've brought in names like Kaare Vedvik, Matt Ammendola, and Sergio Castillo, among others.

Unfortunately, nothing has worked, and that's why Douglas has brought in a veteran to battle with Eddy Pineiro in 2022. Given the career experience and success Greg Zuerlein has had, it's hard not to see him winning the job.

While Sam Ficken wasn't the worst kicker the Jets have brought in since the departure of Jason Myers, he just wasn't the answer. The Jets are hoping that Zuerlein can fill that role.

Verdict: Ficken wasn't the worst Jets option, but given the career of Greg the Leg, it's not a contest here.