Latest ESPN polls are more proof Jets have one of the NFL's best rosters heading into 2024
Yes. We all know you don't win championships on paper.But damn, it sure is exciting when your favorite's team depth chart is just loaded with experienced, effective talent that can match up and beat any team in the league.The New York Jets are one of those teams that look very good heading into 2024. As […]
Yes. We all know you don't win championships on paper.
But damn, it sure is exciting when your favorite's team depth chart is just loaded with experienced, effective talent that can match up and beat any team in the league.
The New York Jets are one of those teams that look very good heading into 2024. As long as they stay healthy, they should be playoff contenders. And with Aaron Rodgers' postseason experience, a deep run is certainly possible.
It's hard to argue against the talent on both sides of the ball and ESPN's latest polls back up Gang Green's side of things. Each year, the four-letter network releases articles that poll NFL executives, coaches, and scouts in order to rank players accordingly by position. It's a fun series that often gives good insight into how the best players are viewed by those around them.
So far, the Jets have held down the No. 2 spot in both the running back and defensive tackle polls – the first two articles of this year's series. Third-year playmaker, Breece Hall, was the running back and Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams was the defensive tackle.
Hall is considered the game's best running back under the age of 25, with big upside on Year 3 projections.
He looked brilliant as a rookie before tearing his ACL, then looked great again late in 2023 with 357 yards and three touchdowns over weeks 16-18 despite a nonexistent passing game around him.
"Natural rusher with acceleration through the hole," a high-ranking NFL official said. "He's got power and can create his own shot by making someone miss."
Hall averaged 4.3 yards per carry against a heavy box (eight or more defenders), which ranked fifth in the NFL.
Hall proved versatile with 76 catches for 591 yards along with his 994 rushing yards.
"Legit dual-threat, a glider with high-level change of direction and vision," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "Home run hitter with the ball in his hands. Can grind volume, create explosives at any moment." – ESPN
The Jets' offensive woes can't mask Williams' impact — he was a force in 2023. Williams' 29 incompletions created by his pass rush ties him with [Chiefs DT Chris] Jones. His 38% run stop win rate was tied for second at the position, and his 29 pressures ranked fourth among interior rushers.
"Really good first step, and his size and athleticism overwhelms guys," an NFL scouting director said. "And he plays very hard, which is sometimes unique for guys at the position. Doesn't really have any weakness."
Williams won a close battle for second but had more first- and second-place votes than the field, save Jones. – ESPN
There will be more to come, as well
Thanks to Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, the Jets are guaranteed to have players in the top-10 of the wide receiver and cornerback categories. They're also very likely to have players in the top-10 of the EDGE and off-ball linebacker categories thanks to Haason Reddick and C.J. Mosely, respectively.
Tyron Smith may even make an appearance in the top-10 offensive tackle group. He had a helluva year, last year. It's doubtful Aaron Rodgers cracks the QB list, but reputations go a long way in the NFL, so who knows.
What can hold everything back, though, is the offensive line. Especially if Smith goes down for an extended period of time, which he's no stranger to. He was awarded a second-team All-Pro nod last year, but also missed four games. He hasn't played a full slate of games in a single season since 2015 and has missed at least three games per year, since.
The hope is Olu Fashanu can come in and make an immediate impact by not only beating out Morgan Moses for the starting right tackle job, but playing at an effective level to where opposing edge rushers can't disrupt the offense, or even worse, hurt Rodgers.
Either way, the one concrete aspect, here, again, is that if the Jets stay healthy, they'll be one of the top playoff contenders throughout the season.
