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New York Jets: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Mike Phillips

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets calls a play during a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Jets beat the Bills 13 to 6. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets calls a play during a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Jets beat the Bills 13 to 6. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 22: Newq. York Jets Wide Receiver Robby Anderson (11) makes a touchdown catch during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets on December 22, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 22: Newq. York Jets Wide Receiver Robby Anderson (11) makes a touchdown catch during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets on December 22, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Wide Receiver

The top two priorities for the Jets this offseason are necessary to help quarterback Sam Darnold develop into a star. One area that the Jets are particularly deficient in is wide receiver, and they need to get Darnold some playmakers in order to aid his development.

Successful teams have added weapons to help their young quarterbacks go to the next level, like the Los Angeles Rams did bringing in Brandon Cooks for Jared Goff and the Kansas City Chiefs did signing Sammy Watkins for Patrick Mahomes. The Jets failed to do that last spring, signing only slot man Jamison Crowder to help Darnold.

Making matters worse is the fact that Darnold’s top target, Robby Anderson, is set to become a free agent. Anderson and Darnold formed a growing connection down the stretch, but Anderson has indicated he won’t give the Jets a hometown discount prior to testing free agency.

The Jets would be doing Darnold a major disservice by letting Anderson walk, and in an ideal world they would re-sign Anderson and add a strong second receiver to go with him. That could come in a deep draft, where the Jets could end up with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy at No. 11.

The free-agent market is thin at receiver, with Anderson and Amari Cooper rating as the top two pass-catchers in a thin class. The Jets have to ensure that at least one of those players is catching passes from Darnold in September to help him make a huge leap forward in year three.

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