Sports Illustrated Ranks Team Rosters in Jets' Stacked Division

Projections show Gang Green as a contender in a loaded AFC East

© Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets unquestionably feature the most-accomplished quarterback in the AFC East, but the most-complete roster belongs to the Miami Dolphins according to a recent assessment from Sports Illustrated.

SI national scribe Matthew Verderame ranked the roster quality of the four division rivals and the Jets landed in third place. Gang Green sits ahead of the New England Patriots but behind the Dolphins and defending three-time AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.

Even with the third-best roster in the division, Verderame views the Jets as a threat. One week earlier, he predicted an 11-6 regular season record and Wildcard berth for Gang Green.

The Green & White have stocked the weapons cache for four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With 1,100-yard receiver Garrett Wilson already in place, Joe Douglas and Co. signed two proven veteran pass-catchers -- Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman -- at the beginning of the free agency period.

The NYJ running backs' room features a recovering Breece Hall, who gained nearly 700 yards in 6.5 games before his rookie season-ending injury. Then, there's former fourth-round pick Michael Carter and Brooklyn-born rookie Israel Abanikanda. 

Meanwhile, all the key pieces, including All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, from the NFL's fourth-ranked defense return for Robert Saleh in 2023. The Jets' most-notable losses on defense came when interior linemen Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd left in free agency, but Douglas plugged those holes by inking veterans Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods.

With Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets, an already elite division gained even more star power@MattVerderame ranks each AFC East roster after an eventful offseason https://t.co/CaDYYVBCAt

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 16, 2023

From Verderame's "Ranking the 2023 AFC East Rosters, From Worst to Best":

3. New York Jets

"Jets fans won’t appreciate checking in third, but the AFC East is loaded—someone had to slide. New York has its best roster in well over a decade, led by new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, is Gang Green getting the Rodgers who won consecutive MVPs in 2020 and ’21 or the Rodgers who failed to throw for 300 yards in any game last season? 

Around Rodgers, the offensive talents abound. The receivers are deep, led by second-year wideout Garrett Wilson and supplemented by veterans Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman. The offensive line is the group's only real question, with Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown, Max Mitchell and Carter Warren all vying to start at tackle. 

Defensively, this is a strong unit led by coach Robert Saleh. The secondary is the focal point with All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner and veteran D.J. Reed manning the perimeter. The front seven is also a significant strength, with rookie edge rusher Will McDonald IV, Pro Bowl tackle Quinnen Williams, outside linebacker Carl Lawson and defensive end John Franklin-Myers all worthy of attention. 

If the Jets can stay healthy and Rodgers performs near his MVP-level days, New York is a contender." 

-- Matthew Verderame

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The perception has been that the Jets' roster was only a signal caller away from top-tier status. The team won seven of its first 11 games last year before injuries and sub-par quarterback play sank the season.

Since acquiring Rodgers, the Jets are being seen as a playoff team in 2023. Gang Green's Super Bowl payout dropped to +1400 when the Rodgers rumors surfaced after opening in the +2500 to +3500 range.

"They're good. They [the Jets] got some talent," said former Buffalo Bill Steve Tasker, co-host of the weekday "One Bills Live" show. "They have done everything right for two straight off-seasons. They’re gonna see some results for that."

NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund's win projections awarded the Jets 9.8 victories, the fifth-highest total in the AFC.

READ MORE:

Ranking the 2023 AFC East Rosters, From Worst to Best

SI Predicts 11-win Season for Jets in 2023

Frelund's NFL Win Total Projections Land Jets in Playoffs

Jets' 2023 Schedule: Game-by-Game Win-Loss Predictions