2023 New York Jets Projected Finish, Key Signings and Fantasy Stars

Aaron Rodgers (Mike Morbeck, Wikimedia Commons)

In the 25th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the New York Jets.

Key Off Season Acquisitions

After being three games below .500 last season at seven wins and 10 losses, no team was busier in the offseason acquiring new key players than the New York Jets. Among the acquisitions were quarterback Aaron Rodgers of Chico, California, running back Dalvin Cook of Miami, Florida, wide receiver Allen Lazard of Des Moines, Iowa, wide receiver Mecole Herdman of Bowman, Georgia, wide receiver Randall Cobb of Maryville, Tennessee, offensive tackle Wes Schweitzer of Scottsdale, Arizona, safety Chuck Clark of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rodgers was traded from the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster deal involving draft picks. In 2022, he had 350 completions in 542 attempts for 3695 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions, along with 34 rushes for 94 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Rodgers was a Super Bowl champion with the Packers in 2011, and four time NFL MVP in 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021. He spent 18 seasons in Green Bay.

Cook signed a one-year deal that could see him earn $8.6 million. The Jets become the second National Football League franchise Cook has played for as he previously played the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In 17 games for the Vikings in 2022, he had 264 rushes for 1173 rushing yards and eight touchdown rushes. Cook also had 39 catches for 295 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Lazard signed a four-year deal worth $44 million with the Jets. Last season with the Packers, he had 60 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns. In all, Lazard spent five seasons in Green Bay.

Hardman, who signed a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, previously played four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2022, he had 25 catches for 297 yards and four touchdowns. Hardman won Super Bowls with the Chiefs in 2020 and 2022.

Cobb, who signed a one-year deal worth $3 million, is joining his fourth NFL team. He was previously with the Packers (2011 to 2018, and 2021 and 2022), the Dallas Cowboys (2019), and the Houston Texans (2020). In 2022, he had 34 catches for 417 yards and one touchdown.

Jefferson, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.6 million, is also joining his fourth NFL team. He was previously with the Seattle Seahawks (2016 to 2019 and 2022), with the Buffalo Bills (2020) and Las Vegas Raiders (2021). In 2022, Jefferson had 29 combined tackles (17 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles), 13 quarterback hits, six tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and two pass deflections.

Clark was traded from the Ravens to the Jets for a seventh round pick in the 2024 National Football League draft. In 2022, he had four pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 101 combined tackles (61 solo tackles and 40 assisted tackles). The forced fumble interestingly came in a 24-9 Ravens win over the Jets on September 11.

Schweitzer, who signed a two year deal worth $5 million, is joining his third NFL team. He was with the Atlanta Falcons (2017 to 2019), and Washington (2020 to 2022).

Fantasy Stars

Cook had the ninth most fantasy football points last year at running back. However, expect a little bit of a drop this season. Cook is expected to be in a time share with Breece Hall of Omaha, Nebraska.

The Jets have the ninth ranked defense. Last season, defense was not the problem. Scoring points were. New York gave up 316 points, the fourth fewest points in the NFL. The only three teams that gave up less points were San Francisco (277), Buffalo (286), and Baltimore (315).

Projected Finish

The Jets are much better offensively than a year ago. That should move them up in the standings and into second place in the AFC East.

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