Fansided

5 burning questions the Jets must answer in 2019

By William Schneiderhan

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets reacts to a penalty call against the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets reacts to a penalty call against the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 27: Offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele #70 of the Oakland Raiders in action against Tennessee Titans in the first half of their preseason football game at the Oakland Coliseum on August 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 27: Offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele #70 of the Oakland Raiders in action against Tennessee Titans in the first half of their preseason football game at the Oakland Coliseum on August 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Will the offensive line step up in 2019?

When the offensive line played well for the Jets in 2019, you could see a night and day difference. Darnold looked more comfortable in the pocket, the offense could establish the game plan, and the Jets would be far more competitive.

Of course, those are usually the outcomes when a team can win in the trenches. In 2018, Footballoutsiders.com had the Jets ranked dead last in run-blocking and 18th in pass-protection. Pro Football Focus had the unit as the 25th ranked offensive line in football after to Week 17.

When you look at the rankings, you see a simple and blatant trend: good teams have good offensive lines and bad teams don’t.

While Maccagnan was still on board, he did do some leg work addressing this area by trading for former Oakland Raiders’ guard Kelechi Osemele. Adding the veteran looks to be a good move, but the line still has a lot to prove.

Osemele will join Kelvin Beachum on the left side of the line, with Brian Winters and Brandon Shell on the right side. Jonotthan Harrison is slated as the starting center. Beachum, Winters and Osemele are three veterans who have held their own, but Shell and Harrison are two question marks.

The Jets must be far more consistent in the trenches this season. If they can be a more stable unit, Darnold will be able to do more and the offense can be effective.

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