by Connor Hughes
The New York Jets needed playmakers, that was the most obvious realization as the 2014 season came to an end.
When Antonio Cromartie left the Jets and signed with the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason, a need for a cornerback opposite Dee Milliner joined atop the 'must acquire' list.
The Jets had money, lots of it. In fact, entering the free agency signing period, the team had more than $40 million in cap space. A few weeks into free agency, Ex-Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson become available. Shortly after, Ex-Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers, as well.
The Jets didn't heavily pursue either. And now they're paying the price.
Despite their abundance of money, general manager John Idzik let Jackson sign with the Washington Redskins, and Flowers the San Diego Chargers. Both are experiencing extensive success with their new franchises this season.
Jackson has caught 23 passes for 479 yards and three touchdowns. He's averaging 20.8 yards per catch.
Flowers has intercepted two passes and defended seven others. A quarterback's rating when testing him is 62.6
The Jets still lack playmakers. They still lack a cornerback opposite Milliner. They still have loads of cash in their back pocket. Oh, and they're 1-5.
In a year in which the AFC East is more down than up, the division appears to be wide open. Tom Brady and the power house New England Patriots look vulnerable for the first time in a decade, the Buffalo Bills have a journeyman starting and quarterback and Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin is struggling to hold on to the squad.
This is the year the AFC East is wide open. And the Jets could have taken advantage.
While quarterback Geno Smith has been far from perfect in 2014, he hasn't had much help. Aside from receiver Eric Decker, who was the Jets prized free agent acquisition, New York has had little success from those lining up outside and in the slot. Through the first six weeks of the season, just one receiver not named Eric Decker has scored a touchdown.
Greg Salas has caught eight total passes, Jeremy Kerley is averaging eight yards a reception and David Nelson has 54 total yards. Defensive coordinators aren't blind, they see the lack of talent and are taking advantage of it.
On first and second down, defenses are stacking the box and bringing a safety near the line of scrimmage to contain the run. With their other safety, teams are shading him to Decker's side of the field. Opponents are daring the Jets receivers to make a play. The Jets receivers aren't.
With one signing. That all could have changed.
Dubbed one of the league's best deep receiving threats, Jackson, just 27 years old, has averaged 17.4 yards per reception throughout his seven-year NFL career. Last year, his final in Philadelphia, Jackson set career highs in catches (82), yards (1,332) and touchdowns (9).
Jackson is far from a perfect receiver in the NFL, but what he does is make plays. Jackson caught a 50-plus yard pass in five games last year. In five games last year, He stretches the field, making it so a defense needs to keep a safety over top to prevent the long bomb.
In essence, Jackson, theoretically, would be the perfect compliment to Decker. While Decker is a more polished receiver, a defense needs to pay more attention to Jackson for the fear of the 'home run.' The extra attention thrown Jackson's way will allow Decker to see more single coverage and run open underneath.
Last year, Decker's final season in Denver, the former third round pick caught 87 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. He lined up each week opposite Demaryius Thomas. Like Jackson, Thomas requires a defense's attention. He requires the coverage to be shaded his way. When that happens, it opens up more room for Decker.
Salas, Kerley and Nelson are not Jackson or Thomas. None require any coverage to be 'shaded' their way or a defense to apply anything more than single coverage. Last season, none of the three went over 100 yards in any one game.
While Thomas wasn't a free agent, Jackson was. He was there for the taking.
In his final season in Philadelphia, Jackson accounted for 83 yards per game and four points himself. This season, discounting the game Jackson only played a quarter due to a shoulder injury, he's averaging four points per game again.
In the Jets losses to Denver, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, each game was decided by an average of nine points. Accounting for the average of four points per game Jackson accounts for (number of points scored divided by games played), that margin of defeat suddenly dips to just five points per game.
Starting opposite Milliner for the Jets has been a mixture of Darrin Walls and Antonio Allen. The two have allowed a combined six touchdowns. One of Allen's touchdowns was let up against Detroit, one of Walls against Chicago.
Flowers, who is presented rated as ProFootballFocus' No. 1 cornerback, has allowed just one touchdown in six games this year. Assuming that carries over with the Jets, Flowers would have allowed one touchdown during one of the aforementioned four Jets losses.
Mathematically, had Flowers been in for Walls against Chicago, or Allen against Detroit, neither of those two touchdowns are let up. Those five-point average defeats turn to two-point victories. Instead of 1-5, the Jets could be 3-3 with games against the Patriots, Bills, Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bills and Dolphins on tap.
While both Jackson and Flowers seem to fit the Jets scheme, both would have also fit into their budget. Flowers agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers and counts just $3 million against the cap. Jackson, meanwhile, signed a three-year, $24 million contract with Washington. This season, Jackson counts $4.25 million against the Redskins cap situation.
The Jets could have had both players in 2014 for $7.25 million. Flower's is off the books in 2015, Jackson will count $9.25 million against the cap in 2015 and 2016.
Things are spiraling out of control for the Jets as the team looks headed for an embarrassing close to the 2014-2015 season. The lack of a playmakers, and a cornerback, are a big reason why.
Is it guaranteed that adding Jackson and Flowers would have turned the season around and had the Jets in position for a playoff run?
No.
But they'd be in a better position than they are now.