Intro: For each team, for the next month or so, we’re going to look at the key offseason moves each team has made via trade, free agency, coaching and GM changes, and their NFL Draft to see if we scout/analyze these teams have improved or regressed or stayed flat, essentially – looking at it from a 2024 impact only...not long-term, just what could impact this season’s results.
We’ll judge these teams two at a time, pitting them against each other head-to-head to determine a ‘winner’ (which team we think impacted 2024 the best), and the winning teams will move on to the next round and compete until we get to the finals/Super Bowl.
We’re going division-by-division, seeded by 2023 order of finish.
Today we have an AFC East matchup of #2 Dolphins v. #3 Jets...
MIAMI
Key Adds: LB Jordyn Brooks (from SEA), OC Aaron Brewer (from TEN), CB Kendall Fuller (from WSH), TE Jonnu Smith (from ATL), LB Shaq Barrett (from TB), Odell Beckham (from BAL)
Key Losses: DT Christian Wilkins (to LV), OG Robert Hunt (to CAR), SAF Brandon Jones (to DEN), LB Andrew Van Ginkel (to MIN), DT Raekwon Davis (to IND), LB Jerome Baker (to SEA), SAF Deshon Elliott (to PIT)...likely Xavien Howard will sign elsewhere.
Key Draft Adds: DE Chop Robinson, RB Jaylen Wright, LB Patrick Paul, DL Mo Kamara, WR Malik Washington
Key Coaching Changes: D-C Vic Fangio fired, Anthony Weaver in
Outlook: A lot of churn for Miami this offseason -- forced by salary cap needs and overhauling the defense due to heavy spending and a Vic Fangio-led failure 2023.
They lost Christian Wilkins, which was huge. Xavien Howard out, but Kendall Fuller in is manageable. Jordyn Brooks in and Jerome Baker out at linebacker is a ‘hopeful’ wash. Van Ginkel gone hurts too. In general, a lot of changes from D-C Fangio on down...but more losses than improvements or about neutral on all the +/-. The rookie pass rushers they drafted...I like Mo Kamara OK, but don’t see the big deal in Chop Robinson at all...don’t think either will put anything over the top in 2024.
To me, Miami is starting to feel like – they are drafting and doing personnel via 40-times only.
...and thus they draft Jaylen Wright, when was it that big of a need to get another RB with all the defensive concerns? I mean, on offense...are they really any better with OBJ and Wright. What they really need (offensively) is a QB plan for the future, but instead they are scarfing up 40-time wonders at RB and WR. Wonderful.
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NY JETS
Key Adds: QB Tyrod Taylor (from NYG), OG John Simpson (from BAL), WR Mike Williams (from LAC), DT Javon Kinlaw (from SF), OT Tyron Smith (from DAL)
Key Losses: EDGE Bryce Huff (to PHI), SAF Jordan Whitehead (to TB), DT Quinton Jefferson (to CLE), OT Mekhi Becton (to PHI)
Key Draft Adds: OL Ola Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley, RB Braelon Allen, CB Qwantez Swiggers
Key Coaching Changes: none
Outlook: The Jets biggest issue for 2+ years has been their O-Line. And in prior years they tried to solve that issue by drafting and signing useless pass rushers by the bushel full. When you hire a former D-C to be the head coach, you typically get an overemphasis on the defense and pass pressure and a collapse on offense...lunkhead football strategy where sacks are so cool that these coaches chase the results of the 1-3x a game they (sacks) happen...and then ‘who cares’ about the other 50+ plays in a game where the pass rushers have flail a pass rush and taken themselves way out of the play?
Any whooo... The Jets FINALLY decided to address the O-Line in 2024...getting Tyron Smith and John Simpson in free agency and drafting nice OL prospect Ola Fashanu – three instant impact O-Linemen, potentially...a HUGE difference making moment this offseason.
The Jets really didn’t lose any key players on either side of the ball but really beefed up their offense – adding three legit OLs and smartly added a nice backup QB (Tyrod) to protect Aaron Rodgers...and got Rodgers two potential instant upgrades at WR with rookie Malachi Corley and Mike Williams. They also backstopped Breece Hall with a steal RB in Braelon Allen.
The Jets did about everything you’re supposed to do to fill holes this offseason. They needed this. They’re now a vastly improved, dangerous team in 2024.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
You have to give this to the Jets...and it’s not even close. In fact, it’s a bit serendipitous that these two are matching up in a tournament such as this – because I would argue the Jets have improved so much that they have closed the gap, and surpassed, Miami as a team overall – and that could be the difference of the Jets winning the AFC East (or making a wild card) and the staff keeping their jobs, and Mike McDaniel suddenly in trouble in Miami if/when they fail to make the playoffs...and the Dolphins GM would/should get canned for sure, if they don’t make the playoffs.
The Jets advance in our tourney and go on to face the Patriots for the AFC East title in the next round.
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