Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets, 2016: offseason review

The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets won’t play for the first time until Thursday, September 15th when they open Week 2, but during the down time in the NFL offseason, we are going to take a look at the Jets with some help from our SB Nation blog, Gang Green Nation:

Notable free agent additions: RB Matt Forte, RB Khiry Robinson, DT Steve McLendon

Notable free agent departures: RB Chris Ivory, DT Damon Harrison, LB DeMario Davis

Trades: Jets acquired OT Ryan Clady from Denver for a late round pick

Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:

1st round LB Darron Lee - The first round pick is expected to begin the season playing situationally on passing downs.

3rd round LB Jarvis Jenkins - The third round pick plays a position, outside linebacker, where the Jets do not have a single player with a proven track record in the NFL. He has a real chance to win a camp competition and begin his rookie season as a starter.

Biggest offseason addition: Matt Forte is the most significant addition. The Jets offense took off in November as Bilal Powell emerged as the third option in the passing game. The Jets re-signed Powell to continue contributing out of the backfield, but they also added one of the most decorated pass-catching backs in the league today.

Biggest storyline heading into training camp: Who is the quarterback? After a career year, former Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is still unsigned. There doesn’t seem to be interest outside of New York in his services, but he still isn’t happy with what the Jets are offering. Team management is on record saying the deadline for any deal is the start of training camp. Will something get done?

Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp: Can Marcus Williams adjust to a bigger role? The third year cornerback impressed last season in his role as number four on the depth chart with six interceptions. There is a big leap in responsibilities between the fourth spot and the third spot in Todd Bowles’ defense, however. The number three corner is essentially a starter. Can Williams become more than a role player in this league? It will have a big impact on the team’s success.

Notable injuries heading into training camp: Muhammad Wilkerson is recovering from a broken leg suffered in the season finale against Buffalo. Darrelle Revis is recovering from a wrist injury he apparently played through last season. Clady is coming off a torn ACL.

Buffalo will host New York on Thursday, September 15th, for a primetime kickoff and travel to New Jersey in the season finale. Thanks again to Gang Green Nation!