We are in the slowest part of the NFL calendar: after the draft but before offseason training begins.
Without much happening, the folks down at Pro Football Focus (PFF) went over the NFL’s best players at each position over the past 25 years. Despite the New York Jets going 173-231 since 2000, seventh-worst in the NFL, they were well represented.
Of the 24 players listed, two spent most or all of their time with the Jets.
Jets feature two of the most dominant players since 2000
Cornerback Darrelle Revis, also known as Revis Island, has long been heralded as one of the best cornerbacks to ever play the game. He consistently erased some of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and his 2009 season was historic.
As such, it comes as no surprise that PFF selected him for one of their three cornerback spots, along with Richard Sherman and Antoine Winfield.
“Revis Island peaked between 2008 and 2014, during which he was one of the 10 highest-graded cornerbacks in every single season and the top-graded cornerback in PFF coverage grade twice.
“Revis’ best season came in 2009, when he posted a 93.4 PFF coverage grade — still the best mark of the PFF era for the position, as are his 24 pass breakups that season. Revis ranks behind only Richard Sherman (50.1%) in career completion rate allowed since 2006 (50.6%).”
Joining Revis on the list is Nick Mangold, PFF’s top center since 2000.
“Mangold burst onto the scene in 2006 as a rookie, posting a 94.0 PFF pass-blocking grade, which still stands as the best mark for a center.
“From that point on, Mangold established himself as the best center in the PFF era, posting the second-highest career PFF pass-blocking grade for the position (93.0) and ranking in the top five at the position in career pass-blocking efficiency (99.1), career pressure rate allowed (1.9%) and career knockdown rate allowed (0.5%) among 55 qualifiers since 2006.”
Mangold immediately dominated as a rookie and never looked back. Along with fellow 2006 first-round pick D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Mangold anchored the Jets’ offensive line for a decade.
While Revis was deservedly a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Mangold is often overlooked. It’s nice to see both players recognized.
Unfortunately, the Jets haven’t come close to replicating the team success that Revis and Mangold led them to. These struggles are partially due to the Jets’ inability to rely on either cornerback or center as a strength throughout most of their 14-year playoff drought.
Until now.
The Jets are getting back to what made them great
Revis and Mangold were the faces of the franchise during the Jets’ peak. Their excellence powered the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championships from 2009-10.
After a brutal decade, the Jets are finally getting back to the style of play that brought them deep into the playoffs.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner has miraculously lived up to the impossible standards left by Revis. Through three seasons, Gardner already has two first-team All-Pro nods. As they did with Revis, quarterbacks have begun to avoid challenging Gardner altogether.
While center Joe Tippmann is not at Mangold’s level, he has developed into the team’s first quality young starter at the position since Mangold’s early years. After dealing with a carousel following Mangold’s retirement, they finally seem to have an answer.
The Jets’ heavy investments in the offensive line have raised it to its highest level since 2010. Unlike back then, four of the five starters are Jets draft picks, and all five are 27 or younger. Whereas the 2009-10 offensive line only had a short peak, this Jets offensive line is built to last.
There have been many comparisons between the 2025 Jets and the upstart 2009 team. While a trip to the AFC championship is unlikely, there is reason to believe in this team for 2025 and beyond.
