Entering 2026, the New York Jets’ offense looks much different from a year ago.

A new coordinator, a new quarterback, and more pass-catching depth have led to more reasons for optimism surrounding the Jets’ offensive unit, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has taken notice.

Barnwell, as he does every year, ranked all the WR, RB, and TE groups combined for all 32 NFL teams. This year, the Jets ranked 12th, a massive improvement over their 25th-place finish last year.

“There are two young stars here who have been stuck with overmatched QBs in awful offenses at the beginning of their careers,” he wrote. “Garrett Wilson was limited to seven games by injuries last season, but we’ve seen enough from the 25-year-old in the past to hint at massive upside. The best quarterback Wilson has played with during his four-year career, by a comfortable margin, is late-era Joe Flacco. He’s on the Andre Johnson and Terry McLaurin track, hoping to find a passer worthy of his talents before it gets too late.”

The writer continued to discuss the value of running back Breece Hall.

“Aaron Glenn’s pre-2025 commentary that Breece Hall was going to split out and run a full route tree was always absurd, but there’s little argument against Hall as one of the best backs in football working out of the backfield. Hall was able to correct some of his fumble issues from 2024 and was more consistent as a runner in 2025 than he had been since the ACL tear,” Barnwell expressed. “He’s a plus receiver out of the backfield and would be a legitimate top-six back in the right situation.

He then closed with the upside of the young bucks New York possesses.

“There’s also more in the cupboard around those guys than there has been in years past. First-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. might not offer the most exciting upside of any wideout in this draft, but the player out of Indiana should be able to take advantage of the attention directed at Wilson and run away from defensive backs after the catch,” wrote Barnwell.

“Adonai Mitchell showed some flashes after being acquired in midseason. And while Mason Taylor struggled with drops and didn’t create many big plays as a rookie, the in-line tight end should be joined by a more athletic option in first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq this season. Imagine how excited you would be if this group played with Josh Allen in Buffalo, and you start to get an idea of why the Jets rank higher than expected here.”

Honestly, this ranking is quite surprising. This isn’t to say that the Jets can’t prove they are worthy of this ranking during the 2026 season, but Barnwell is banking on a lot of production that has yet to be seen.

He is expecting Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. to take on significant roles as rookies, with Cooper Jr. in consideration to serve as the Jets’ WR2 and Sadiq as an all-around weapon who contributes in multiple areas.

The Breece Hall love is justified after an incredible 2025 season, and as the Jets’ offensive line only continues to improve, so will his overall production, particularly on the ground.

Garrett Wilson is on track to have his best season yet if Geno Smith can play at a competent level, which is also exciting.

Ultimately, the Jets’ offense is filled with upside and promising pieces.

However, in 2026, Gang Green must turn these “high upside” players, such as Saidq, Cooper Jr., Adonai Mitchell, and Mason Taylor, into legitimate, steady contributors to justify this ranking.