After taking a look at the Bills and Dolphins, let's see what the Jets have been up to this offseason and what that means for the Patriots. The Jets finished last in the AFC East with a 2-14 record in 2020 and did not qualify for the postseason. The Patriots got two of their seven wins (29 percent) against the Jets by a combined score of 58-41. Adam Gase was fired, Robert Saleh was brought in from the 49ers to usher in (another) new era (where have you gone, Rex Ryan?)
Bad news for the Patriots: Jets spent big in free agency also
New England led the way in guaranteed money, but the Jets weren't far behind in fourth place with over $75 million spent. New York brought in some serious talent with DE Carl Lawson, WR Corey Davis, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Jarrad Davis, DE Vinny Curry, S Lamarcus Joyner along with some other role players.
It will be interesting to watch what happens with Davis and Rankins in particular, because the Patriots addressed the same spots quickly with different players (Nelson Agholor, Davon Gaudchaux). A lot of Patriots fans wanted Davis ... but more on that in a minute.
Look, there's no question the Jets brought in talent — just like the Patriots — and seemed to choose somewhat wisely but...
Good news: The Jets spent big in free agency
You can certainly argue that the Jets followed a similar blueprint to the Patriots — they mostly spent big money on players in their prime like Lawson and Davis. But all their additions have a lot of questions. Lawson had previously only been a situational player and he has 20 sacks in four years. Davis, who the Patriots had zero interest in, has yet to crack 1,000 yards. Rankins has had a ton of injury issues. Joyner was popular a few years ago but even the Raiders, who have a terrible secondary, didn't want him. I would say the Jets' free agents have a much higher bust rate than the Patriots, but the scoreboard will tell the tale.
By the way, I love veteran Vinny Curry as a low-cost option for them.
Bad news: Jets have a ton of WR talent
New York already had Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder. Now they added Davis, former Jaguar Keelan Cole and second-round pick Elijah Moore, who was the sensation of offseason practices and may make a lot of teams (ahem, the Patriots) rue the day they passed over the second-round slot type.
You can make the Jets reason number 53 as to why they need Stephon Gilmore back this season. There's no question the Jets have given second overall pick Zach Wilson plenty of talent to throw to, but...
Good news: The offensive line might still stink
The Jets absolutely knocked the pick of LT Mekhi Becton out of the park (if he can stay on the field). Complete and utter stud at LT. Rarely has a big man moved that well. And they traded up to draft OG Alijah Vera-Tucker to play next to Becton. Should be a good duo for years to come. But the rest of the line? Huge questions. Center Connor McGovern and LG Greg Van Roten are just average. The Jets upgraded the awful RT George Fant with Morgan Moses, but there's a reason why Washington cut him loose.
So the Jets got their QB some nice weapons, but he might not be upright to see them, especially against the Patriots. Good luck with that.
Bad news: Jets appear to have drafted really well
Loved all of their top picks — QB Zach Wilson, OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, WR Elijah Moore and RB Michael Carter — and all the early reports have been glowing, so New York might finally be going in the right direction with GM Joe Douglas.
Good news: Saleh is going to play ALL the kids
Saleh is going to take a page out of mentor Pete Carroll's playbook and play all of the youngsters early and often. That might be fine with those previously mentioned, but the Jets are really green (no pun intended) at cornerback so that could be very good news for the Patriots.
Better news: The Patriots, traditionally, have buried this defensive scheme
Saleh is all energy and a leader of men and all that, but he still runs the base Seattle Cover 3 that the Patriots have run over time and time again (not last year vs. 49ers, but Cam Newton was awful). Still, remember what Newton did to Seattle in Week 2 (feels like three years ago). Now the Patriots have weapons and if Josh McDaniels can find the right trigger man, he can get back to ripping this scheme up twice a year.
Look, the reports on Wilson have been good — he can take your breath away on some throws and his escapability is insane — and there is talent in New York, but the offensive line is a mess and the defense is seriously lacking corners. The Jets could be on the upswing, but it's hard to see that happening this season.
And that's good news for the Patriots and the rest of the division.