The 2023 New York Jets are in a wildly different place than they were in 2022 on this date. There was optimism, but the projected starters didn’t yet feature draft picks like Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, or Breece Hall. Now with the assumption that QB Aaron Rodgers will soon be at the helm of the offense, and a dominant rookie class with a year of NFL experience, the Jets’ projected starters look significantly better.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (12) – Mike Roemer/AP
Although the trade has not been made official, the NFL is largely operating as if Rodgers is already a Jet. The Green Bay Packers will likely be walking away with a package of picks shortly, and it would be disingenuous to list anyone other than Mr. Darkness himself as the most important of the projected starters for Gang Green.
Offensive Line: Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Wes Schweitzer, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton
The offensive line is the unit with the largest series of question marks for the Jets. GM Joe Douglas made the line his number-one priority in his first season in the top chair, but his two first big signings in George Fant and Conner McGovern have both completed their contracts, and Becton’s injuries are a consistent worry. Brown is serviceable, but he is also in the twilight of his career and youth infusion is necessary. Fourth-round draft pick Max Mitchell played decently when injuries forced him into the lineup, but his blood clot issues also leave his availability in question.
Schweitzer is a replacement-level interior lineman with center/guard versatility, so the Jets also need an upgrade at the pivot position. On paper it’s not a bad unit, but in reality there is not much certainty. Former Titans center Ben Jones has been in discussions with the Jets, but he currently remains unsigned. If Jones were to become a Jet, it would offer them more flexibility once the draft arrives.
Wide Receiver: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman
Jets WR Garrett Wilson (17) – Michael Owens/Getty Images
The Jets entered the offseason with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis as projected starters along with Wilson, but it wasn’t long before they made a major shake-up at the position. Moore was traded to the Browns, and the signings of Lazard and Hardman suggest Davis isn’t going to be a Jet for long.
Many have speculated that Davis will be moved to the Packers as part of the deal for Rodgers, which makes a lot of sense considering the lack of a veteran presence at receiver in Green bay. With Wilson as a bonafide star, Lazard and Hardman make a lot of sense as less expensive accentuating pieces.
Running Back: Breece Hall, Michael Carter
Hall was the easy favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year up until the game against the Broncos when he tore his ACL. He averaged 122 all-purpose yards per game in the four outings leading up to his injury and was rapidly becoming one of the best backs in the NFL. Carter showed a lot of flashes as a rookie but didn’t perform quite as well in his second season. Still, his skill set accentuates Hall nicely, and he will most likely get the second most touches out of the backfield.
Tight End: Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzomah
Conklin and Uzomah both received notable contracts as free agents in 2022, but neither put up any major statistics. Consistency at the quarterback position certainly didn’t help, but the reality is that the Jets could use an upgrade here. Considering the investments that were made financially to these two, it’s not particularly likely that the Jets would search externally for more tight end help, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that third round pick Jeremy Ruckert makes major strides and steals significant playing time away from the two veterans.
Defensive Line: Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II
Jets DT Quinnen Williams (95) – Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The defensive line is a unique position group for the Jets. They rotate their front four more than most NFL teams, so while this four may not necessarily always take the field together, they are most likely to finish the season with the highest snap percentages among the defensive linemen. The line also features Bryce Huff, Solomon Thomas, Tanzel Smart, and Michael Clemons, each of whom will more than likely receive notable playing time.
Lawson and Huff are the two true outside pass rushers of the group, while Williams and Smart are the two true interior players. The rest of the crew all possess some outside/inside versatility, and will likely line up in a variety of places. Based on the heavy rotation, snap percentage seems like a viable way to dictate the projected starters.
Linebacker: CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams
While Mosley isn’t as dominant as he was in his Baltimore days, he still managed to secure a Second Team All-Pro honor this past season, which is his fifth such award. Williams is an up-and-coming backer on the other hand, who the Jets elected to re-sign after he played the past two seasons for them as a waiver claim. Where Mosley lacks in speed, he makes up for in experience, leadership, and instincts. Williams is almost the exact opposite; speedy and always a threat to make a big play, but needs to lock down his gaps more effectively and play more controlled in space.
Cornerback: Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II
The Jets will feature the same starting trio that made up one of the best secondaries in the NFL in 2022. Gardner is coming off a Defensive Rookie of the Year award as well as a First Team All-Pro, which is a truly rare combination for a cornerback. DJ Reed was an under-the-radar signing for the Jets last year after a high quality season in Seattle, and proceeded to be one of the best number-two corners in the league behind Gardner. Carter is a speedy slot corner who plays his role very well, although his size can put him at a disadvantage vs big slot receivers or tight ends.
Safety: Chuck Clark, Jordan Whitehead
While not every position group is perfect, the Jets feature a very high-quality player in almost every single unit. Safety is the one group besides tight end where this is not really the case. Clark and Whitehead are both viable players, but neither are making a big impact on the game. It would likely come as a shock to nobody if they were to make an addition to this group in the top 50 picks. Neither Whitehead nor Clark are rangy coverage types, and both are better downhill than they are moving backward. If there is one role that the Jets are lacking completely, it is a safety who can make big plays down the field.
The New York Jets projected starters for 2023 are better than they have been in recent memory… or maybe even the best in the modern era of football. While much of this depends on the assumed acquisition of Rodgers, the young core of playmakers rivals even the 2009 and 2010 rosters that saw the Jets attend back to back AFC championship games even without him.
