2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the New York Jets

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New York Jets

Schedule | Roster

An otherworldly run defense boosted the 2013 Jets to a .500 record, masking major deficiencies in the defensive secondary and on offense.

Second-round rookie quarterback Geno Smith won the starting nod in Week 1 (thanks, in part, to a preseason injury to Mark Sanchez) and retained the job all year, despite some very shaky play (to put it politely). In 16 games, Smith completed just 55.8 per cent of his passes for 3,046 yards, 12 touchdowns and an ugly 21 interceptions.

Jets general manager John Idzik made upgrading the weapons around Smith a priority in the offseason, but was criticized for the slow pace with which he attacked free agency and the lack of a clear plan the team displayed. The end result is a roster that's more experienced and undoubtedly more talented on paper, but can it compete with the New England Patriots in a perennially one-sided division?

As is often the case with the Jets, it's far from a lock that the disparate pieces assembled here will fit together seamlessly. Head coach Rex Ryan is skilled at coaching by the seat of his pants, and it's entirely possible this edition of the Jets will be the one that finally puts it all together. But it's even more likely that things will come apart at the seams. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #22

In what's become an annual tradition, the Jets have serious train wreck potential. Aside from a brick wall of a defensive line, where are the special talents on this team? More ...

Key Additions: WR Eric Decker, RB Chris Johnson, QB Michael Vick, RT Breno Giacomini

Key Departures: CB Antonio Cromartie, QB Mark Sanchez, RT Austin Howard, WR Santonio Holmes, WR Stephen Hill

The Jets clearly believe Smith will only progress as a passer if his surrounding cast is improved. They demonstrated this by signing wide receiver Eric Decker to a big-money deal in free agency and later adding former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson. 

But perhaps the biggest offseason move the team made came behind Smith. Veteran quarterback Michael Vick was signed, prompting many to suggest he would get the chance to compete with Smith for the starting job. Not so, the Jets have made it clear ever since. Vick is purely a backup and his presence is intended to push Smith, not replace him. If Smith struggles, expect the voices calling for Vick to be loud. 

2014 Draft Class

The Jets entered the draft with 12 picks and, stunningly, they used the full dozen without making a single trade up or down the board. 

Cornerback and receiver appeared to be the team's two biggest needs entering the draft, and they were addressed multiple times throughout. 

Safety Calvin Pryor was a mildly surprising selection in the first round. The big-hitting enforcer should immediately become a favorite of Ryan and Jets fans everywhere.

Second-round pick Amaro has vast athletic upside, but he's very raw and likely a two- to three-year project player. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Rex Ryan
Offensive Coordinator: Marty Mornhinweg
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Thurman

The story here is Ryan's new multi-year contract. Ryan was set to enter the season as a lame duck, and the Jets initially indicated they were comfortable with the idea of him coaching on the edge. That changed in January, when Ryan signed a "Band-Aid" deal that reportedly includes guaranteed money in 2014-15 and future unguaranteed years.

This remains a situation to monitor. There are whispers that Ryan doesn't see eye-to-eye with Idzik, the latter of whom inherited Ryan when he assumed the GM job in 2013.

2014 Schedule

The Jets will need to be strong on defense, as they face a brutal gauntlet of top-tier quarterbacks including Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the first seven weeks of the season. 

The schedule gets much easier on paper after the bye, but will the Jets remain in playoff contention by that point? 

Bold Predictions

Rex Ryan will be fired before the season ends. The uneasy partnership between Ryan and Jets general manager John Idzik won’t survive the season. Rumors have swirled that the two butted heads on crucial matters in the past, including the selection of quarterback Geno Smith, and it won’t be surprising to see the two clash again if the Jets get off to a slow start – as many expect they will. Ryan has the potential to be a top coach in the NFL, but he badly needs a change of scenery. He’ll get it before the season ends. - David Woods

Eric Decker leads the league in receptions. The Jets had no weapons in the passing game last year, as no player had more than 45 catches or 550 receiving yards. Eric Decker on the other hand has over 85 catches and 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons, albeit with a far better offense. Still, Geno Smith will look to Decker early and often in the 2014 season as his go-to receiver and those receptions will add up, giving Decker the NFL lead at year’s end. - Mike Dickson