New York Jets: Pro Football Focus Ranks Offensive Line
By Nick Ziegler
Pro Football Focus has recently released their offensive line rankings for the 2016 season. Where did the New York Jets rank?
It was a disappointing season for the New York Jets in 2016. While there were many issues with the team, one of the most glaring at times was the offensive line. Injuries really affected this unit in 2016, as almost every starter from the beginning of the season was out by the end.
Coming into the 2016 season, the Jets had the difficult task of trying to replace left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Even though Ferguson wasn’t playing at an elite level, he was Mr. Reliable for the Jets. His replacement, Ryan Clady, was a bit of a boom or bust move made by general manager Mike Maccagnan. With some injury issues in the past, Clady was unable to stay healthy for the Jets last season.
In addition to injuries at left tackle, the Jets were also with All-Pro center Nick Mangold for a good chunk of the season. As one of the best centers in the league, this certainly also affected the Jets this season.
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Coming into the season, Pro Football Focus had the Jets ranked as the 24th offensive line in the NFL. Surprisingly, they finished the 2016 season ranked 21st.
Here’s what PFF had to say about the Jets’ offensive line:
"The one bright spot on this line was the play of LG James Carpenter, who has successfully resurrected his career after bombing out of Seattle as a disaster. He has put together back-to-back solid seasons as a Jet, and this year, was even good as a pass protector for the first time in his career. Carpenter allowed just two sacks and three penalties, and was solid as a run blocker—but that’s about where the good news for this unit ends.Of the other starters, the best play from them was pretty average, with RG Brian Winters (77.1 overall grade) at least holding his own, even if he wasn’t consistently winning his blocks. Both tackle spots were a problem for the team all season, with Ben Ijalana allowing eight sacks on the year and Ryan Clady looking like a shadow of his best play. One game against the hapless 49ers aside, C Wesley Johnson struggled in relief of Nick Mangold, who played just 433 snaps before injury struck."
Even though the Jets exceeded their preseason ranking, the offensive line will be a unit that they try to improve this offseason. Many expect the Jets to draft an offensive lineman in the first round. Furthermore, they need to get younger and better in the trenches.