What key weaknesses must the New York Jets eliminate to make a playoff push in 2020?
Pressure rate allowed
Most weaknesses on a football field can be overcome if the team has enough talent elsewhere. The offensive line is not one of those surmountable weaknesses.
In 2019, the Jets allowed their quarterbacks to take pressure on 42.9% of their dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ tracking. That was by far the worst rate in football.
The additions of Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten should certainly create a few more cushy pockets for Sam Darnold. McGovern was graded by PFF as the fifth-best pass-blocking center in 2019 (82.5 grade). Van Roten ranked as the 17th-best pass-blocking guard out of 67 qualifiers (74.3 grade).
The X-factors are the tackle spots. What will Mekhi Becton do as a rookie? Based on recent history, there is a strong chance he will be either phenomenal or brutal in his debut season, with little chance of landing somewhere in-between.
How about right tackle? If George Fant wins the job, can he improve upon his ghastly track record as a starting tackle? Can Chuma Edoga take a second-year leap?
There is still a bevy of question marks here, but Joe Douglas has certainly bolstered the unit’s ceiling with Becton and McGovern while also building competition and depth that did not exist a year ago.
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