The New York Jets had a big problem last season. No, I’m not talking about the quarterback situation. I mean that literally. A big problem. The Jets had some of the worst big men up front last season that made it impossible to generate any sustained offense.

The Jets had major issues with their big men up front especially at the tackle position. Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown, the two supposed starters were not very good when they played and the revolving door of backups played like backups when called upon.

So, this offseason, general manager Joe Douglas got to work when free agency hit to fix their big man problem at the tackle position, and boy did he ever. Douglas signed future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith to man left tackle spot and traded for former Jet Morgan Moses to take the right tackle.

It was a home run offseason for the GM who now boasts one of the best offensive tackle combos in the NFL. That sentiment was shared by Pro Football Focus, who included both of the Jets starting tackles in its list of the top 32 tackles in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.

When it comes to Tyron Smith, who they have ranked as their #7 overall tackle, PFF had this to offer:

Although he had to miss games due to injury, the 942 snaps he played in 2023 were the most he has played in a season since 2018. He was at his best in pass protection, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 89.3 that led all offensive tackles.

Smith will stroll into the Football Hall of Fame five years after he decides to hang up his pads, but the Jets will try and squeeze every last drop of football he has left as he protects Aaron Rodgers’ blind side this year.

Smith will also get a chance to mentor one of the most talented youngsters in the game in Jets first round pick, Olu Fashanu. If Smith has to miss a few games (a likely scenario), the Jets will turn to the rookie to pick up the slack.

On the right side of the line, the Jets traded for a familiar face in Morgan Moses who played for the Jets before signing a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens two years ago. PFF had this to say in listing him as their #18 overall tackle:

The veteran played the best football of his career in his second season with the Ravens. His 80.4 PFF grade marked a career-high and led to the highest career ranking, as he finished 10th at the position. In addition, Moses also earned a career-high pass-blocking grade of 77.0, 21st among all offensive tackles.

Only three teams have both of their starting tackles ranked higher than the Jets pair of bookends. The Philadelphia Eagles boast Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson who rank fifth and sixth respectively. The Detroit Lions have Penei Sewell and and Taylor Decker who come in at third and 14^th. And sitting at 15^th and 16^th on the list are Braden Smith and Benhard Raimann of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jets will look to their new pair of bookend tackles to carry them to a place they haven’t been in over a decade. The NFL playoffs.

The most important virtue that is missing from the Jets organization and it’s fans

Let’s clear a few things up before I get into this. The Jets have one of the best rosters on paper in the NFL. For all the spoiled New England Patriots fans or the delusional Buffalo Bills fans, you need to know this. The Jets roster is better than yours on paper in 2024. Got […]