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New York Jets: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against the Green Bay Packers on December 23, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 44-38 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against the Green Bay Packers on December 23, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 44-38 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Kelvin Beachum #68 of the New York Jets in action against the Minnesota Viking during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Kelvin Beachum #68 of the New York Jets in action against the Minnesota Viking during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

1. Fix the offensive line

The problems were evident throughout the preseason and never really got better once the games started to count for real. The New York Jets are in need of some big time help when it comes to their office of line.

Left tackle Kelvin Beachum and right guard Brian Winters were the only performers on this unit to start all 16 games at the same spot. Elsewhere, veteran guard James Carpenter started the first 10 games of the season before going down. Spencer Long wound up splitting time at center and left guard, with Jonotthan Harrison filling in at the pivot.

Meanwhile, tackle Ben Ijalana spent all of 2018 on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. This after playing a total of 27 games the previous two seasons combined and make starts on both the left and right side. The lack of depth on the outside certainly hurt this unit as right tackle Brandon Shell missed the final two games of the season.

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Now consider that Carpenter, Harrison and Ijalana, as well as reserves Dakota Dozier and Brent Qvale (both who made at least one start in ‘18) are all eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. It will be interesting to see who returns. On the other hand, the Jets have the third overall pick in April’s draft. And while their second-round choice is now the property of the Indianapolis Colts, general manager Mike Maccagnan does have two picks in Round 3.

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