The New York Jets placed among PFF’s top five most improved teams from the 2021 offseason draft and free agency period.
If offseason accolades from Pro Football Focus led to success on the field, the New York Jets would have no issues ending their decade-long postseason drought.
In a video released by the NFL, the Jets rank third in the analytical statistical service’s top five most improved teams from the 2021 offseason. Detractors can argue that last season’s two-win endeavor gave the Jets nowhere to go but up, but the video details how New York’s most monumental moves have set them up for success.
In addition to adding BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick of last spring’s draft, who had a PFF passing grade of 95 in his final season in Provo, the video notes that the Jets have ensured that their offensive support system is better than anything they had with the outgoing Sam Darnold.
“Corey Davis was added as a receiving target in free agency, fresh off the back of a breakout season in Tennessee, in which he went top five in yards per route run,” the video says. It’s also noted that the Jets traded up to bolster their offensive line, adding USC blocker Alijah Vera-Tucker a dozen picks after Wilson.
Defensively, PFF is pleased with the addition of EDGE rusher Carl Lawson to the proceedings. Lawson’s sack total in Cincinnati may not jump off the page, but his ability to raise the pressure certainly does.
“(The Jets) may have also just signed the best edge rusher they’ve had on the roster since John Abraham,” it says. “Carl Lawson (is) slotted to fit into (head coach) Robert Saleh‘s more aggressive defensive front four after notching 64 total pressures last year.”
Alas for the Jets, even such an honor from PFF can’t be obtained without some overshadowing from New England. The Patriots ranked second in the most improved poll, their placement fueled by the additions of high-profile tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Jacksonville and Washington (the only NFC team on the list) are just behind the Jets while the list is topped by the defending AFC semifinalist Cleveland Browns.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
