Jets Among League's Worst in Preseason Power Rankings

The New York Jets were ranked among the worst teams in the NFL in Sports Illustrated's final preseason power rankings before the 2021 regular season begins

Max Goodman | Sep 8, 2021

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Illustrated revealed its final preseason power rankings on Tuesday and even after an eventful offseason, the Jets are still in the basement.

New York was ranked 30th, ahead of only the Detroit Lions (31) and Houston Texans (32).

For a team that won only two games a year ago, it's no surprise this club is ranked among the league's worst. That said, based on where the Jets were listed earlier in the offseason, clearly the MMQB staff believes New York took a step back over the last few weeks.

After the NFL draft—where Gang Green added a franchise quarterback and several talented youngsters on both sides of the ball—Sports Illustrated ranked the Jets 25th overall. The highest-place vote New York received for this week's placement was No. 26.

"The Jets are starting over with yet another first-round quarterback. Will things be different this time? Most people seem to believe so," the MMQB staff wrote.

As much as the Jets did take steps forward in the offseason, a few injuries are certainly lowering expectations entering Week 1. Losing Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry for the year are huge blows, losses that will test the depth of this defensive line early and often.

Plus, even with new faces, there's no guarantee things will translate right away. Just on offense, rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, top wideout Corey Davis, training camp standout Elijah Moore and more will need to make adjustments in this new system, all the while working with first-year head coach Robert Saleh and rookie offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

Only time will tell how high the Jets will climb in the power rankings as the season goes along. As of now, SI sees this team picking pretty early in next year's draft, though.

To see the rest of the power rankings, click here.

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Published Sep 8, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.