At a glance: The Jets are seemingly making progress ahead of quarterback Sam Darnold's second year and have put a plethora of play-making talent around him. One of last season's worst defenses got a little better in the Draft, but dysfunction in the coaching staff and front office could be a sign of things to come in New York.
Leave it to the Jets to bring dysfunction out of absolutely no where.
After early reports indicated new head coach Adam Gase caused friction with his new defensive coordinator, New York went on to have a solid free agency that included bringing in running back Le'Veon Bell. Two months later and general manager Mike Maccagnan has been fired over the way he spent almost $200 million in free agency - Gase reportedly thinking he over spent - but only AFTER Maccagnan looked after the team's draft. What a mess.
Either way, New York has gone about fixing a depleted defense that gave up fourth-most points (27.6 per game), eighth-most yards (380.4 per game) and ranked middle of the pack in sacks (39.0) in 2018, per ESPN. Blitz happy coordinator Gregg Williams got the best player in the draft in Quinnen Williams but finding a way to fit him and tackle Leonard Williams in will be a challenge. The team did an an edge rusher to help Jordan Jenkins, a role the front office clearly wanted filled when it tried to sign outside linebacker Anthony Barr in free agency.
An improved offensive line got some depth with third round pick Chuma Edoga, who you figure provides options for when tackles Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell and Brent Qvale's contacts all expire next year. With quarterback Sam Darnold heading into Year 2with an exciting group of play-makers around him, the hope is that Gase won't derail the progress with altercations behind the scenes.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.03 Quinnen Williams DT
3.04 Jachai Polite DE
3.28 Chuma Edoga OT
4.19 Trevon Wesco TE
5.19 Blake Cashman ILB
6.23 Blessuan Austin CB
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: NBC Sports
