There is an obvious talent discrepancy between the Jets and the elite teams of the NFL. The depth is poor at almost every position, and for a team that can never seem to shake the injury bug, that needs to change. However, what really wins the big games is elite, high-end talent.
The Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams had players that were the best, or close to the best at their respective positions across the roster. Quarterback Matt Stafford, wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr created a superteam offense. Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and Jalen Ramsey wreaked havoc on NFL defenses the second half of the season. All of these players are likely top 10 players at their positions, with Kupp, Donald, and Ramsey all having arguments that they are the best in the entire league at what they do.
Last year, the Super Bowl LV champion Tampa Bay Bucaneers had Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski on offense, with Lavonte David and Devin White patrolling the defense. Once again, this roster was absolutely star-studded.
The same story could be written about the Super Bowl winners from years prior, such as the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. Plain and simple, elite talent wins important football games. While filling out the roster in case of injury is important for the Jets to do this offseason, what Gang Green really needs to take the next step are difference makers.
Looking at the Jets roster, there were rookies that flashed lots of potential, with Michael Carter, Elijah Moore, and Alijah Vera-Tucker all having moments that showed they are capable of being elite players if not now, then very soon. Additionally, on defense, Quinnen Willimas, Carl Lawson, and C.J. Mosley are all varying degrees of veterans with high-end talent levels. With that being said, none of these players are proven, top 10 at their position stars at this moment. In order for the Jets to compete for the playoffs moving forward, they are going to need at least a few of these players to develop into x-factors, someone that can change the game at any moment with one play. General Manager Joe Douglas is going to need to hit in this draft and in free agency as well in a continued search to get this team to the level it needs to be.
While every Super Bowl winning team is not the same, they all tend to be strong in a few areas: Quarterback, Offensive Line, Wide Receivers/Tight Ends, and edge rushers. Zach Wilson’s development is key to the future, but the development of the Jets at all of those other positions are of great importance as well.
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