Jets Flying High in Sports Illustrated's Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings

Gang Green, a top-10 occupant, owns the second-highest rank in AFC East

If his power rankings are any indication, Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr is expecting the AFC East to be a gauntlet during the 2023 National Football League season.

The New York Jets’ division is the lone quartet with all four of its members owning spots on the top half of Orr’s post-draft 32-team list.

One of two AFC East franchises to land in the Top 10, Gang Green owns the No. 6 slot in the latest SI NFL Power Rankings. The Jets sit two spots behind the fourth-ranked Buffalo Bills, who have won the AFC East race each of the past three seasons.

The Power Rankings were not as generous as others have been to the Miami Dolphins, who took the No. 13 spot. The New England Patriots rounded out the AFC East’s presence at No. 16 overall.

6 - New York Jets

"I wasn’t as frustrated with the Will McDonald IV pick as some others might have been. While it seems pretty clear the Jets were leapfrogged for the last value tackle on the board, they added a lot of speed and athleticism to their roster. Israel Abanikanda is a special player out of Pitt, and reminds me a lot of the prototypical lean and fast backs the 49ers have churned out over the years. "

- Connor Orr

.@ConorOrr’s post-draft power rankings:

2️⃣ Chiefs
6️⃣ Jets
1️⃣5️⃣ Packers
2️⃣2️⃣ Seahawks
3️⃣1️⃣ Cardinalshttps://t.co/2EkPDGqUph

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 2, 2023

Orr's No. 6 ranking for the Jets is on the higher side when it comes to NFL Power Rankings published by major outlets.

Dan Hanzus, the “Around The NFL” Podcast co-host, tabbed the Jets ninth overall, followed by the Dolphins at No. 10 and the Patriots at No. 17, in the first post-draft installment of the official NFL.com Power Rankings. Hanzus also had the Bills fourth.

The Jets earned multiple top-10 rankings during the 2022 campaign by jumping out to a 7-4 start. Gang Green, however, sank into the bottom half of the league thanks to a season-ending six-game losing streak.

After a 7-10 record, and fourth-place division finish, the Jets added future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers to the mix with the hope of solving the quarterback woes that ultimately sank the season. The 39-year old Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and statistically out-performed Gang Green’s passers during his final season with the Green Bay Packers.

Joe Douglas and Co. also upgraded the receiving corps through free agency, signing veteran Allen Lazard (Packers) and Mecole Hardman (Chiefs) (For a complete list of offseason moves, visit the Jets Country Personnel Tracker).

The Rodgers’ Effect has clearly boosted the Jets’ profile in the eyes of Power Rankings generators and oddsmakers. SI Sportsbook currently lists the Gang Green at +1400 to win Super Bowl LVIII. Only five NFL teams are more highly-favored to win it all than the Jets.

Prior to the rumors of Rodgers’ arrival began to surface, the Jets’ Super Bowl odds were initially priced in the +2500 to +3500 range depending upon the sportsbook. 

READ MORE:

SI's NFL Power Rankings: Where Every Team Stands After the 2023 Draft

Albert Breer Highlights 'Good Sign' for Rodgers and Jets

Rodgers Brings Super Bowl Aspirations to Gang Green

Sports Illustrated Grades Jets' 2023 Draft Below Median

Sauce Gardner Ready for Aaron Rodgers to Take the Reins

Jets Country's 2023 Offseason Personnel Tracker