The New York Jets finished the 2019 season with a 7-9 record (3rd in the AFC East). Despite improving on their 4-12 record from 2018, Gang Green failed to make the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. Fortunately, the Jets no longer have to deal with Tom Brady giving them a much-needed reprieve from the G.O.A.T. Enter the 2020 season and a new beginning for HC Adam Gase. Now, let’s take look at the 2020 New York Jets in our continued NFL season team previews.
R.I.P 2019
Bringing in free agents RB Le’ Veon Bell and LB C.J. Mosley last year set high expectations for the Jets. Undoubtedly injuries to key players QB Sam Darnold (Mono), LB C.J. Mosley (Groin), LB Avery Williamson (ACL), TE Chris Herndon (Hamstring/Ribs) and WR Quincy Enunwa (Neck) ultimately doomed the Jets season. Fortunately, the Jets will look much different this season based on their offseason moves and the health of key players.
Above all, Jet’s fans have to be love what GM Joe Douglas has done in his first official offseason with the Jets (hired June 7th, 2019 to relieve New York from Mike Maccagnan’s clutches). Douglas totally revamped the offensive line, most notably signing Connor McGovern (71.9 PFF, 10th among centers). Additionally, 30-year old veteran G Greg Van Roten (3 years for $10.5 million) and 27-year old OT George Fant (3 years for $30 million) will add much needed experience. These key additions will undoubtedly help upgrade an offensive line that averaged a league-worst 0.7 rushing yards before contact per attempt in 2019 and allowed pressure on 27.5% of their dropbacks (31st ). In addition to the above signings, the Jets also drafted offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (Louisville) with the eleventh overall pick. As a result, I believe the Jets have properly built this offensive line to protect QB Sam Darnold.
Proven Winners
Moreover, the Jets brought in future Hall of Famer Frank Gore, who ranks third on the all-time NFL rushing list (15,347 rushing yards). Furthermore, the Jets also signed former Super Bowl MVP QB Joe Flacco to offer leadership in the locker room. Douglas also signed veteran WR Breshad Perriman (36 REC, 645 YDS, 6 TDs in 2019) and former Ravens LB Patrick Onwuasor (who reunites with C.J. Mosely) to one-year deals.
Hauled in 6 TDs on 36 receptions in 2019
Wide Receiver Depth
Without a doubt, one of the biggest questions heading into the 2020 season for the Jets is at the wide receiver position. With Robby Anderson now a Carolina Panther and Demaryius Thomas gone, the Jets now depend on a young group of receivers to make plays for QB Sam Darnold. Furthermore, the Jets were able to snag WR Denzel Mims (Baylor) in the second round of the draft. Mims has all the physical tools to dominate in the NFL (6 ft, 3 in, 207 lbs, 4.38-40 yard dash). Fifth-year veteran WR Jamison Crowder proved he could make plays out of the slot last year (78 REC, 833 YDS, 6 TD). Importantly no other wide receiver on the Jets current roster, besides Crowder or the newly signed Perriman, had over 20 receptions or 225 receiving yards in 2019 (YIKES!).
210 tackles over 61 career games
Defensive Backs
Without a doubt, I expect the Jets defense to continue to be a solid unit in 2020. However, cornerback is still a mild concern heading into 2020. The Jets did sign 6-year veteran Pierre Desir (209 career tackles, 5 career INT), in spite of coming off a down year. Desir graded out as the 73rd overall cornerback in Pro Football Focus’ in 2019. In addition to Desir, 27-year old Brian Poole (250 career tackles, 5 career INT) signed out of Atlanta, should start in nickel packages. However, the bigger question is who is going to be starting opposite Desir. In this case, look for Blessuan Austin, Quincy Wilson, and Arthur Maulet to compete for a starting cornerback role during camp.
Ring the Bell
Beefing up the offensive line is a smart move for Darnold’s growth and should also allow Le’Veon Bell, who is coming off one of the “worst” statistical seasons of his career (789 rushing yards, 461 receiving yards, 4 TD ), to find creases to run through. Therefore, I expect a healthy Bell to rebound nicely in 2020.
Should return to elite RB form in 2020
Wager Picks
First, I am a big buyer of Le’Veon Bell this year on DraftKings. The Jets rush offense ranked 31st in total rushing yards (1,257) and last in rushing yards per attempt (3.3) in 2019. The upgrade on the O-Line and Bell’s ability could propel him to produce numbers we were accustomed to seeing when he was in Pittsburgh (21.52 PPR fantasy pts/game over 62 games). Lastly, I expect the Jets to be an improved squad from 2019. However, the lack of WR depth is a concern and leads me to lean under on the team total of 7 wins most books are hanging.
Conclusion
While the Jets made some modest strides in the offseason, Gang Green still seems a few seasons away from contending in the division. The Dolphins and Bills have taken strides forward heading into 2020 and are subsequently further along in claiming the AFC East title before New York.
The Miami Dolphins finished the 2019 season with a 5-11 record, ultimately bringing up the rear in the AFC East. Despite their dismal record, it should be noted Miami appeared to unite under head coach Brian Flores, winning five of their final nine games to end the 2019 campaign. The Dolphins now turn the page on last season with renewed hope heading into this season. Let’s take a closer look at the 2020 Miami Dolphins.
Additions
First and foremost Miami had a slew of draft capital (due to trading away RB Kenyon Drake, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and OT Laremy Tunsil ) along with plenty of cap room, the Dolphins did a complete roster overhaul heading into the 2020 season. Not only did Miami sign stand out cornerback and ex-Cowboy Byron Jones to a five-year deal worth $82.5 million but also power RB Jordan Howard, pass-catching specialist RB Matt Breida, G Ereck Flowers, as well as former division foes DE/LB Kyle Van Noy, DE/LB Shaq Lawson, LB Elandon Roberts, and C Ted Karras. Karras filled in admirably for the injured Center David Andrews, ranking T-8 in sacks allowed amongst centers and ultimately earning a 1 year deal for $3 mil with the Dolphins. These signings definitely improve a defense that allowed a league-high 494 points along with the third-most yards per game (397.8) in 2019.
QB Watch
The headlines will focus on rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa whom the Dolphins selected fifth overall in the draft. Undoubtedly Tagovailoa has the tools to be successful in the NFL, as his 69.3% completion rate and 87 TD’s-11 INT’s in three years at Alabama proved. I believe Ryan Fitzpatrick will still see the bulk of the snaps in 2020. Tagovailoa should sit and adapt to the NFL properly, obviously if the Dolphins fall out of playoff contention, give the kid a look.
32,886 career passing yards
Offseason
Other notable draft picks for Miami include Austin Jackson (Round 1, Pick 18) the offensive tackle out of USC should push for a starting spot. Corner Noah Igbinoghene (Round 1, Pick 30) out of Auburn could very well start in nickel packages. Noah should also be in line for return duties as well. He collected 44 returns good for 27.3 yards per return and 2 career touchdowns. Curtis Weaver (Round 5, Pick 164) the DE/OLB out of Boise State who has the physical tools to be an absolute steal at pick 164. If the O-Line can gel, I can see no reason why WR DeVante Parker can’t surpass his career marks from last year (72 REC, 1,202 yards, 9 TD), no matter who is throwing him the ball. I particularly like what Miami has done in the offseason, clearly improving on both sides of the ball.
Parker is looking to build on impressive 2019 campaign
Wager Picks
Above all, I’ll be looking to draft Tagovailoa in my dynasty league and stash him. Secondly, DeVante Parker should be a DraftKings weekly consideration at WR due to his touchdown potential. Lastly, I’ll take my chances on the Dolphins covering the 6 wins Vegas has set.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, Miami is trending in the right direction. Draft, culture, and offseason moves should have Fin fans excited about 2020. Importantly, let’s not forget about the loss of TB12 from the division.
Stay tuned for the New York Jets team preview in the weeks to come!
“Ding-dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch. Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead!”. I’m sure every NY Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills fan feels like a Munchkin when the wicked witch perishes at the end of The Wizard of Oz. QB Tom Brady, aka the wicked witch, has flown south to bring some magic to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Oh, and his “little” friend TE Rob Gronkowski (who is apparently the WWE 24/7 champion?) has come out of retirement to join Tommy Boy for some fun in the sun. With that said, this has got to be the first time in the new millennium that the AFC East is totally up for grabs. Let’s take a closer look.
It’s only fitting to start with the top dog. The New England Patriots have dominated the AFC East the last two decades, breaking the NFL record for consecutive division titles in 2019 (11 straight). The last time the Patriots didn’t win the division was in 2008, when they lost by tie breaker to the Miami Dolphins (Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” was on top of the music charts…let that sink in for a moment). But the real question is can this finally be the downfall of the Pats? Surely, they can’t just expect to roll out QBs Brian Hoyer or Jarrett Stidham and dominate. And losing key defensive players such as LB Kyle Van Noy (6.5 sacks, 3 FF in 2019), LB Jamie Collins (7 sacks, 3 FF, 3 INT in 2019) and DT Danny Shelton (3 sacks, 1 FF in 2019) has got to negatively affect a defensive unit that finished number one in yards allowed per game (275.9), points allowed per game (14.1) and second in total takeaways (36) in 2019. Well, I’ve got two words for you, BILL BELICHICK.
292 Career Wins
Time has revealed to us that Coach is more than capable of bringing in the right players to perform a particular scheme based on their individual skill sets. I mean this is the same guy who turned Tom Brady (a former 6 round draft pick) into a six-time Super Bowl Champion. And who also set up QB Jimmy Garoppolo and QB Jacoby Brissett for decent paydays when they filled in for Brady (4 game suspension) during the 2016 season.
Marqise Lee has 2,184 career receiving yards over 5 seasons
Brian Hoyer (QB) is a safety blanket at best, speedster Damiere Byrd (WR) only has 488 receiving yards and 3 TD’s in four seasons in the NFL, Marqise Lee (WR) has shown promise when healthy, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field since 2017 and Beau Allen (DT) will most likely serve as a plug on the interior D-Line during early downs. New England also didn’t seem too concerned with drafting any offensive players early in this year’s draft. Opting instead to use their first three picks on the defense, drafting Safety Kyle Dugger (Round 2, Pick 37) out of Division 2 Lenoir-Rhyne University, DE/OLB Josh Uche (Round 2, Pick 60) out of Michigan and DE/OLB Anfernee Jennings (Round 3, Pick 87) out of Alabama. It’s not far fetched, given the holes on the defense (particularly in the front 7). But it does beg the question on how the Patriots offense will function in 2020? Much of last year’s inconsistencies offensively were due to lack of chemistry between skill players and more notably on the offensive line. One has to believe that to be the case again heading into this season with a new quarterback at the helm and an offensive line projected to only return three starters (Shaq Mason G/C, Joe Thuney G, and Isaiah Wynn OT).
As far as fantasy producers for the Patriots during the 2020 season, I believe RB James White (908 all-purpose yards, 6 TD’s in 2019) and WR Julian Edelman (100 REC, 1,117 yards, 6 TD’s in 2019) will be the main beneficiaries in a some-what dink and dunk offense with a new QB and will be on my DraftKings weekly radar depending on matchups.
Stay tuned for the Miami Dolphins team preview in the weeks to come!
