Predicting the AFC East Champion for this upcoming season

AFC East 3rd place: New York Jets (7-10)

The Jets have been rebuilding for the last decade it seems like, with just about nothing to show for it. But Robert Salah and Joe Douglas have done a really nice job in the draft the past couple of years, and have acquired a ton of talent on paper. Quinnen Williams, Mekhi Becton, Denzel Mims, Ashtyn Davis, Bryce Hall, Zach Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Elijah Moore, Michael Carter, Ahmad Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Breece Hall are a very intriguing core of young players.

Now, of course, this rebuild is heavily reliant on the success of Zach Wilson, who had a pretty horrific rookie season, but he has loads of talent that could make him dangerous if ever developed. The Jets still have quite a few holes on the defensive side of the ball primarily on the defensive line, but maybe their Free Agent signing from 2021, Carl Lawson makes an impact, now that he’s fully recovered from his torn Achilles tendon. Even if Lawson can provide some valuable reps, I’m still concerned with the depth on the line, and the number of raw players in the secondary.

All in all, this team is still a few years away. They don’t have a ton of veteran players and their coach is only entering his second year, so I expect some growing pains and maybe some late-game slip-ups due to the lack of experience. I do believe the Jets have more talent than the Patriots though, and I think a handful of the young guys will make an impact fast enough to steal a few wins towards the end of the year, and just barely finish ahead of New England in the AFC East standings.