If this weren't the Jets Suck thread, I'd say: don't make me laugh.
Go ahead. Make me laugh!
Ok so lets break it down. In no way do I think the team, as it currently sits, could be a legit competitor for the playoffs. It would take a decent amount to go right to even be in the wildcard talk come mid December. But that's what sucks. That means odds are a couple things will go right, most things go wrong and we'll end up with 5 or 6 wins and screw over a decent draft pick next season.
Plan 1: Suck for Darnold. Cool with me.
All of the three QBs are bottom 5 guys. High quality vets have timely "injuries" and end up resting a whole bunch. All while 1st, 2nd and 3rd year guys are gaining valuable experience. The team secures a top 5 pick and gives whatever is necessary to trade up to #1 or #2 depending on what QB they want.
Plan 2: Hack or Petty turn out to actually be decent. Even better than Plan 1.
Take a minute and look at Hack here. Starts around the 10 minute mark.
Supposedly the plan was to have Hack sit no matter what last season since he was shell shocked in Penn State. So him not playing last season really isn't a knock. The Jets obviously felt good enough to draft him early in the 2nd for a reason. He does look to have a decent skillset to work with. That was a nicely placed TD pass.
So it all starts with decent QB play. If that happens, Plan 2 can continue, otherwise it's DOA. Whether or it's Hack, Petty or McCown.
Then...
Oline: Not bad and/but very young. the Guards are good. RT is young but promising. Center is a huge downgrade from Mangold obviously, but still at least serviceable. LT is the big problem. We have at least 2 floaters now that are solid backups at LT. One would have to step it up a notch for this plan to succeed.
Overall: C+ until a LT proves worthy.
WRs: Sucks losing Marshall. But Quincy is ready to be a top notch #2 or even low #1.
See here:
Decker, if the fairy can ever stay healthy, is basically the same. A top #2, low end #1. Those two could be tough to defend with decent QB play. Then there are like 4 younger up and coming guys. Probably led by Robbie Anderson as the speedy/hungry kid. And don't forget Devin Smith who was a complete waste with that piece of **** Fitz at QB.
Overall: B if Decker can stay healthy.
TE: ASJ has talent, but until he gets his head on straight... Quincy and Decker are strong WRs who can block I suppose.
Overall: F
RB: Powell is pretty good but has yet to prove the ability to consistently be a quality RB week in and out over the whole season. Forte? Obviously a great veteran but will likely have to be used cautiously so he doesn't burn out.
Overall: B-
Dline: Supposedly Wilk is a little chubby at the moment and I'm curious to see what happens with Sheldon. Regardless...
Overall: A
LBs: Probably the most exciting group given the youth here (excluding Harris). Lee and Jenkins entering their second years. Mauldin entering his 3rd. And of course the old dog Harris leading the defense.
Overall: B- but can fluctuate easily if Harris slows down anymore or if the young kids step up.
Secondary: The Claiborne pickup was big, and also one of the things that'd have to go right for the team to be decent. Before getting hurt last season, PFF had him ranked as a top 10 CB. I even noticed him a bit as I watched Dallas games rooting Zeke on as my fantasy RB. Kid definitely has the skills. Skrine at Nickle CB is at least average. Leaving #2 CB as the question mark. However Williams and Burris are two younger guys who showed some promise last season.
Calvin Pryor has had one good year out of three so far at SS and I still like the guy. Gilchrist is probably the weak link, but that may have been due to injury. The draft could come into play here.
Overall: B- if Claiborne is good.
Which then leads to the draft. I'm not going to look beyond the first round now, even though an early 2nd rounder could definitely come in and contribute right away. So where do the Jets go in the 1st? Based on projections, I'm figuring Safety, RB, LB, CB, WR; in that order of likelihood. Any of which would start immediately and jump their corresponding group grades above by a full grade. (Maybe only half a grade for LB since replacing Harris as defensive leader would be tough.)
So yeah, it is entirely possible to suck for Darnold in 2018. But if one of the young QBs shows some promise, don't think it's hard to turn things up a notch. This team does have some very good young talent.