2015 NFL Season Preview- New York Jets

After the Jets overachiever in 2013, they took a big step backwards the next season.

Second year quarterback Geno Smith was awful for three fourths of the season and Michael Vick was no better. Chris Ivory ended up overlapping Chris Johnson as the team's starting running back. The team traded for wide receiver Percy Harvin midway through the season but couldn't stay healthy long enough to be a factor.

The defense was the bright spot of this team. The defensive line came into there own and were a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Inside linebacker David Harris reached 1,000 career tackles but proved to be a liability against the pass. Cornerback Dee Milliner was injured for much of the year and that allowed guys like Marcus Williams to step up and make plays.

New York only produced two Pro Bowlers in center Nick Mangold and defensive end Sheldon Richardson. Mangold proved that he is still the best center in the game and Richardson led the team with eight sacks and 49 quarterback pressures.

The rookie class was slow to develop. Free safety Calvin Pryor had trouble adjusting to the NFL game but showed the toughness and hard hitting ability he was known for. Tight end Jace Amaro hasn't shown to be a game changer but can still be a red zone target.

After the team finished the year at 4-12, the Jets fired general manager John Idzik and head coach RexRyan. The team then hired former Houston Texans director of scouting Mike Maccagnan as general manager and former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as head coach.

The team replaced offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg with former Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gaily. When Rex Ryan was hired as the head coach of the Bills, he took his entire defensive coaching staff with him. The team appointed former Miami Dolphins defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers as the team's new defensive coordinator

On July 2, defensive end Sheldon Richardson was suspended for the first four games due to failing the league's substance abuse policy. Less than two weeks after receiving his suspension for failing the league's substance abuse policy, Richardson was arrested in Missouri and charged with resisting arrest and traffic violations. He was reportedly street racing in excess of 143 miles per hour before attempting to evade the authorities pursuing him.

Notable Additions- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Zac Stacy, RB Stevan Ridley, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Devier Posey, G James Carpenter, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Darrelle Revis, CB Buster Shrine

Notable Departures- QB Michael Vick, RB Chris Johnson, FB John Connor, WR Greg Salas, CB Kyle Wilson

The Jets held the sixth overall pick in the draft and had many holes that needed to be filled. Primarily at quarterback, linebacker, and safety

Geno Smith is not the next Joe Namath. The Jets need a franchise quarterback they can hang their hats on.

David Harris, Calvin Pace, and Jason Babin will all be 35 this season. New York needs to get younger at the linebacker position.

Calvin Pryor has a hard hitting mentality, but he's not a game changer. The defense needs a playmaker at safety that can create turnovers.

The team ended up selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick. Williams was not only the most explosive defensive tackle, but the highest rated prospect in the draft. The only concern people have is that he struggles with leverage from time to time. Defensive tackle may not have been a priority, but the Jets took the best player in the draft and now they can boast arguably the best defensive line in pro football.

New York also notably drafted Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith in the second round and Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty in the fourth. Smith was praised for his speed and ability as a deep threat but also has struggled in the past with tracking the ball and suffers from focus drops. Petty has good size and a toughness for the position, but rarely read defenses from the spread offense.

Offensively, there are still a lot of questions that need answers. Geno Smith had a great December, but the new regime can't forget September through November Geno. Ryan Fitzpatrick is nothing more than a game manager and the team doesn't know what they're getting in Bryce Petty. The team has a nice string of running backs to choose from and the addition of Brandon Marshall give the Jets a superstar at the receiver position.

This defense has the opportunity to be historic. With a defensive line that fan rival Buffalo's, the defensive end and tackles can have the best 3-4 line and can constantly be in the backfield. With the return of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, the Jets secondary can improve on their weakest position group. If the young linebackers on the team can step up, New York can have a nice rotation of youth and experienced linebackers.

Until we know what Geno Smith we are going to get each week, it will be hard pressed to view this team as playoff worthy.

Best record they can hope for: 8-8