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 Finals matchup of NE v. NYJ...
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)
Trade for: Haason Reddick (from PHI)
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 flailed 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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NEW ENGLAND
Key Adds: RB Antonio Gibson (from WSH), Jacoby Brissett (from WSH), LB Sione Takitaki (from CLE)
Key Losses: OT Trenton Brown (to CIN), LB Mack Wilson (to ARI), CB Myles Bryant (to HOU), TE Mike Gesicki (to CIN), RB Ezekiel Elliott (to DAL)
Key Draft Adds: QB Drake Maye, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, OL Caeden Wallace, WR Javon Baker
Key Coaching Changes: New everything, Bill Belichick is gone.
Outlook: I look at the Patriots’ moves (so far) and think of two main things:
(1) An upgrade at QB, which is so key...but it’s not like they got a star QB or anything. Jacoby Brissett is the best QB they’ve had since Brady left. Drake Maye is not a real 2024 impact – if/when he starts, the season is over and they’re working on the future.
(2) A hit with the loss of Trent Brown at LT. This team lost Cole Strange at Guard to injury already, which is a killer...even worse losing Brown and Strange.
Their draft, overall, didn’t really help 2024 operations.
So, I’m not impressed with the new regime based on their first free agency period and draft...and I was very skeptical of them when they got hired. The move smacks of Robert Kraft desperation for a ‘family’ (ex-player) hire of a guy who has no real experience as an H-C, per se. And ex-players with limited experience getting thrust into HC jobs...not a great track record (nor is the industry of any type of coaching hires all that great).
I look at all the 2024 NE moves and think they didn’t really get much better...a better QB is key, but then fading on the O-Line. They did upgrade the WR group with a couple young WRs from the draft, desperately needed, but I don’t know that they’re big time impacts to 2024.
I kinda look at the NE offseason as closer to neutral...steps forward and steps back. Just not a lot of ‘wow here.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
This was an easy call. The Patriots stumbled their way past Buffalo in the 1st-round. They really didn’t have a great offseason for 2024 impact. Their whole offseason (for 2024) is tied up in the move for Jacoby Brissett...and they’ll bail on him as soon as they can, most likely.
The Jets on the other hand – they did a lot of what they needed to do. They lost 2-3 starters but got back in from free agency and the draft approx. 7 starters...and the biggest upgrade was at their worst spot/a critical spot hangover from the past couple years...on the O-Line.
The Jets are going to be a tough out in this tournament. They advance to face the AFC West winner in the 3rd-round.
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Next Round Matchups...
2nd-Round to come...
AFC North: BAL v. PIT
AFC South: TEN v. IND
AFC West: LAC v. LV
NFC East: WSH v. PHI
NFC North: DET v. GB
NFC South: CAR v. ATL
NFC West: ARI v. LAR
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3rd-Round
AFC East (NYJ) v. AFC West (???)
