2020 Fantasy Outlook: Jets
It’s another season for the New York Jets. After an injury plagued 2019, Jets fans are eager to get 2020 going on the right foot. Retaining most of their starting lineup, minus a key WR, the Jets will look to continue their surge from the end of last season and hopefully put up some solid fantasy stats for 2020. Let's take a look at the 2020-2021 New York Jets.
Offseason Additions: WR Breshad Perriman, OG Greg Van Roten, OG Alex Lewis, C Connor McGovern, C Josh Andrews, OT George Fant, LB Neville Hewitt, CB Pierre Desir, LB Patrick Onwuasor, QB Joe Flacco, RB Frank Gore
Rookies: OT Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims, S Ashtyn Davis, DE Jabari Zuniga, RB Lamical Perine, QB James Morgan, OT Cameron Clark, CB Bryce Hall, P Branden Mann,
Key Offseason Losses: WR Robby Anderson, RB Bilal Powell, LB Brandon Copeland, RB/WR Ty Montgomery, RT Brandon Shell.
Quarterback: Sam Darnold improved his yardage, completion percentage, QB rating, and TDs while lowering his INTs from year 1 to year 2. He did this while missing 3 games due to mono. Sam led the Jets to a 6-2 record in the Jets final 8 games, including defeating 2 potential playoff teams in Buffalo and Pittsburgh in the last 2 games. On the other hand, they gave Cincinnati their first win of the season in a dismal week 13 loss. Darnold has been inconsistent, but did improve his stats in his sophomore season. The biggest problem the Jets fixed this offseason to help their QB1 is their Offensive Line. They signed C Connor McGovern, OT George Fant, and OG Alex Lewis in the first few days of free agency making a statement they want to protect their QB. They also drafted a huge OT in Mekhi Becton. Becton, from Louisville, is 6'7 and weighs 364lbs and posted a 5.10 40 yard dash, he moves more like he is 100lbs lighter. The Jets drafted a rookie (James Morgan) and picked up Joe Flacco in free agency. Having a veteran presence in Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, will help mentor Darnold and hopefully improve his confidence. Sam Darnold has some value in fantasy football this season. He's not going to put up the stats of Mahomes or Jackson, but will be a solid backup or Superflex option. He can be a late round pick in dynasty leagues as well.
Running Back: RB Le'Veon Bell has another year under his belt with Gang Green and the addition of veteran RB Frank Gore really strengthens the depth at the position after not resigning Bilal Powell and losing Ty Montgomery to free agency. Bell only missed one game in 2019, but in his career he has only played a full season once with the Steelers. Health is a concern for Bell, but having a veteran like Gore as a backup is a good option if Bell does miss any time. Bell had less than 800 yards rushing with only 3 TDs and just shy of 500 yards receiving with only 1 TD. The Jets only had 6 total rushing TDs and under 1300 yards as a team in 2019. The Jets also added depth by drafting Lamichel Perine from Florida. With them strengthening their OL as mentioned above, I predict the Jets to increase their rushing stats. Bell is still an RB1 across all leagues. Gore is the only other viable option as a running back, but I wouldn't draft him unless it's a late round bench stash or handcuff to Bell.
Wide Receiver: While the loss of WR Robby Anderson will hurt the passing game, the Jets signed speedster Breshad Perriman and drafted Denzel Mims to offset the loss. Mims showed a spark in his senior year at Baylor: he started all 13 games, recorded 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran a 4.38 40 yard dash and has a 6'3 frame. WR Jamison Crowder finished the year with 833 yards and 6 TDs. Perriman finished the season in TB with 36 catches, 645 yards and 6 TDs. Between Crowder, Perriman, and Mims, the Jets WR core is young and fast. Losing Anderson will absolutely hurt this team, but the Jets didn't let his departure go unnoticed. The only thing I wish is that the Jets went after a true WR1 or kept Anderson. Crowder, Mims, and Perriman are decent WR2, WR3, or Flex options in fantasy. However, I do think Mims will make a huge impact as a rookie.
Tight End: TE Ryan Griffin was the Jets main TE in 2019. Ryan Griffin played 13 games and posted a stat line of 34/320/5. Chris Herndon, the promising 2nd year TE Herndon was suspended the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. He was reinstated from suspension on October 7, 2019, and activated prior to Week 7. He did not play weeks 7,8, or 9. When he finally had his playing time during the Week 10 game against the Giants, Herndon was placed on injured reserve after a season ending injury. He finished the season with 1 reception for 7yds. I would avoid either TE as a starter in fantasy. Both Griffin and Herndon can be viewed as bye week fillers and backups.
Defense: The Jets spent a ton of money on free agents for Gregg Williams and the defense. They signed LB CJ Mosley as their big ticket FA signing coming into the 2019 season. However, with injuries to Mosley and LB Avery Williamson, the defense struggled with their backups. Mosely only played 2 games for the Jets in his first year. He did shine in the 2 games with 9 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and had a pick-6! Williamson missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL. The defensive front includes Henry Anderson, Tarell Basham, Blake Cashman, Folorunso Fatukasi, Neville Hewitt, Steve McLendon, Quinnen Williams, and Jordan Jenkins. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams rotates his players around to keep them fresh and uses complex blitz packages to keep offenses on their toes. Their current CBs include Blessuan Austin, Kyron Brown, Pierre Desir, Nate Hairston and Brian Poole. While the Jets don't have a lockdown corner like they did for years with Revis, they have a young talented crop of players who, with another year of playing together and some offseason additions, can show promise. In the defensive backfield, the Jets have All-Pro S Jamal Adams and S Marcus Maye while drafting S Ashtyn Davis. The Jets ranked 16th in passing defense, 2nd in rushing defense, and 7th overall defensively. The Jets touched all parts of their defensive positions in the draft and free agency. Their defense will be another good choice in fantasy for the 2020 season.
Overall the Jets utilized the draft and free agency to bolster their OL and upgraded some positions around the rest of the team. While there is still room for improvement (true WR, Top CB, and maybe an edge rusher), the Jets can make a solid run in the AFC East without Tom Brady being on the Patriots.
Overview from a rival fan:
As a lifelong Patriots fan I obviously root against the Jets and their players, but when it comes to my fantasy team I draft my players based on their production and value, not on the jersey that they wear. There are several players on the Jets that can consistently produce fantasy points! I agree that the Jets offense has been upgraded this offseason, so I’m definitely targeting players like RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Jamison Crowder. Bell, who’s current average draft position is in the 4th round, is a player that I agree should be a borderline RB1; so getting him as a RB2 or RB3 is a steal! Crowder, who is looking to be Quarterback Sam Darnold’s top target, is a player that I think is a Solid flex option with WR2 potential! I see newcomers Denzel Mims and Breshad Perriman as decent late round stashes. Even with an improved OL, I view QB Sam Darnold as only a streaming option or QB2. The Jets TEs should be left on the waivers. I think that the Jets Defense/special teams are a good defense to stream if they have a decent matchup. ~Jeremiah Kurtz, lifelong Patriots fan
Written by Jimmy Palucci