Are Rookies the Way to Renew the Jets Roster?

As the New York Jets embark on a new era with General Manager Darren Mougey and Coach Aaron Glenn, the team is in line for significant changes. The more things change with the Jets, the more they seem to stay the same.

Having just cut ties with some of their veteran players and acquired young blood for the team with players such as Justin Fields and Brandon Stephens, they are in a position where they have to rebuild their roster.

This change, however, brings about the question of whether the team should go back to the strategy of signing a high volume of rookies, as they did in 2021, and whether that would be an acceptable way of rebuilding the team properly.

What We Learned From the 2021 Draft Class

In 2021, the Jets drafted several rookies, most notably quarterback Zach Wilson, who was taken second overall. There was optimism at first, but Wilson’s season was plagued by inconsistency and subpar play.

The class as a whole had mixed returns, with players performing well in the start only to fall back in later seasons. This is part of the risk of depending too heavily on rookies, as it brings inconsistency and instability.

But the Jets situation is different. With a new front office and focus on the future, the team might benefit from an infusion of fresh blood into the system. The 2025 draft offers an opportunity to plug key positions, such as wide receiver, tight end, and defensive tackle.

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The Advantages of a Rookie Roster

Signing numerous rookies can bring about some beneficial impacts, without a doubt.

The team is able to put together a squad comprised of players who grow together. This would establish a cohesive team culture in addition to allowing the players to develop a sense of camaraderie.

Younger players come with lower salaries, which makes them more economically viable for long-term transactions or franchises that are struggling financially.

The Risks

All these positives are accompanied by considerable risks of depending on rookies.

Inexperience, as the first thing that comes to mind, may result in errors on the field, and the learning curve may be sharp, which doesn’t work in short-term tactics.

The Jets 2021 draft class is an excellent illustration of how promising rookies can fail to live up to form in the long run.

Leadership and Guidance

Of course, once a franchise decides to draft a more significant number of rookies at once, for such a youth-led team to be successful, strong leadership is vital.

The Jets need an experienced captain to guide the young players and provide stability on the field. Jamien Sherwood, who recently signed a large contract extension, could be the guy for the task. Sherwood’s rapid ascent and breakout season in 2024 demonstrate that he has the qualities necessary to be a leader.

At 25, he has already shown that he can play under pressure and might just be the man to marshal the team’s defense. You also have Sauce Gardner, Quinnen and Quincy Williams so there is veteran talent on the defensive side of the ball. Surrounding them with young talent can speed up this turn-around.

Recent Roster Transactions

The Jets recent pickups, including Justin Fields and Brandon Stephens, indicate a youth movement in terms of mid-level players with some potential.

Fields, in particular, introduces a dynamic element with his athleticism that could complement the existing talent the team already has in the likes of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. However, Fields must also improve in terms of pocket passing, and how effective he is will depend significantly on whether or not the team can adapt to his strengths.

As the Jets approach this critical offseason, a youth-oriented approach is a risk worth taking.

As much as caution is undoubtedly necessary, there also comes the promise of long-term prosperity, which teams like the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off with the 2024 draft class.

With the proper type of leadership and a balanced plan that blends some veteran experience and the will to show off from the youth, the Jets could finally end their playoff drought. These next few months will be the indicator of whether or not this plan works.

Steve Johnson

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