NFL 2018 power rankings countdown No. 29: New York Jets

A preview of the New York Jets ahead of the 2018 season.

Check back every day for a new 2018 team preview in this year’s NFL power rankings countdown.

Today’s team is the New York Jets.

29. New York Jets

Keegan’s highest rated player: Jamal Adams, safety

Biggest strength: Secondary

Biggest weakness: Tight end

Best offseason move: Drafting Sam Darnold

Worst offseason move: Not finding a difference maker at tight end

Game to circle on calendar: Week 10, vs. Buffalo

Breakout candidate: Jamal Adams, safety

Key players in contract years: Josh McCown, Bilal Powell, Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, James Carpenter, Steve McLendon, Morris Claiborne, and Cairo Santos

Offensive preview

The Jets’ offense is a lot more exciting than the previous teams that have been listed in these power rankings. The main reason is the Jets’ quarterback room, which features two established starters with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, as well as one of the best rookie quarterbacks in Sam Darnold.

There are some downsides to having three good passers, including the potential for a quarterback controversy, which the Jets appear to have. My guess is that McCown initially wins the job and is the starter for the first part of the season, but don’t be surprised if Darnold takes over by November or December.

The Jets have a few other good things going for their offense. Isaiah Crowell is a good running back, and they have a talented receiving corps. The strength the Jets have at these skill positions will surely benefit Darnold once he becomes the full-time starter.

The tight end and offensive line situation is the virtual opposite. The Jets don’t have a real tight end target, and the offensive line is just as bad. Both of these positions should have been addressed better in the offseason.

The offense has some upside, but it also has a lot of work that needs to be done if it wants to keep up with the offensive firepower that a New England or Pittsburgh has.

Defensive preview

The Jets’ defensive line has fallen tremendously in just a few seasons. The only person left from the loaded line from just a few seasons ago is Leonard Williams. I like that the Jets brought in Steve McLendon, but he is nowhere near as good as someone like Sheldon Richardson or Muhammad Wilkerson.

The linebacking corps is just as mediocre. I like Darron Lee a lot, but he has been fairly underwhelming as a pro. Hopefully bringing in Avery Williamson will work; I will be very concerned for this Jets defense if it doesn’t.

One thing the Jets deserve a lot of credit for is working to fix their secondary this offseason. Bringing in Trumaine Johnson to pair with Morris Claiborne at cornerback will certainly be a step in the right direction. They haven’t had the luxury of a top-tier corner since Darrelle Revis was in his prime.

The biggest positive to take from this defense is their young safeties. Jamal Adams is a future star and Marcus Maye has a lot of potential as well. The Jets have one of the best young safety pairings in the league.

This unit has some potential, but the front seven is just too mediocre to believe in this defense.

Coaching staff/front office preview

I have a lot of confidence in Jets head coach Todd Bowles. It would be absurd for him to lose his job. Year after year he inherits a mediocre roster, and it seems like he maximizes this team’s potential.

Bowles was one of the best defensive coordinators in the league in Arizona, and I doubt the Jets could find someone that could run this team better than he can. He nearly made the playoffs with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starting quarterback.

I have lacked confidence in Jets GM Mike Maccagnan in the past, but his recent first-round picks of Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold are starting to change that. Adams and Darnold are players that can change an entire locker room, and if both of these picks work out the way that I expect them to, Maccagnan deserves a lot of credit.

Overall outlook for 2018

The Jets have a bright future in a few places, but their offensive line and front seven still needs too much work for this team to be a viable threat in a loaded AFC. This team is still a few years away from contending.

Previous teams:

30. Cincinnati Bengals
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers