This article is part of our Team Previews series.
NEW YORK JETS
THE SKINNY
The Jets, who were one win away from the playoffs last season, added a significant piece this offseason in all-around back Matt Forte. Tom Brady's four-game suspension could give the team an opportunity to win the AFC East for the first time since 2002, but it all hinges on the status of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
THREE KEY STORYLINES
QUESTIONS UNDER CENTER
After throwing for a career-high 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick is looking for a significant raise, one the Jets aren't interested in paying, at least not at the level he's looking to attain. Still, the team has been vocal about wanting to bring the QB back, but overpaying for a 33-year-old who has never made the playoffs isn't in the budget, regardless of what teammates Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have said publicly. If Fitzpatrick doesn't re-up, Geno Smith would open training camp taking the first-team snaps, but he could be on a short leash after the Jets used a second-round pick on Christian Hackenberg. While the Penn State product possesses prototypical size and arm strength, his results over the past two NCAA seasons don't suggest that he's NFL-ready. If Smith struggles, though, the Jets could be forced to turn to the rookie, despite the significant accuracy issues he endured at the college level. The team's final option is 2015 fourth-rounder Bryce Petty, but the offense he ran at Baylor was significantly different than what he's expected to helm at the pro level.
CAN THE BACKFIELD BE A FORTE?
On the heels of eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career, punishing physical back Chris Ivory landed a five-year, $32 million contract from the Jaguars, forcing the Jets to look elsewhere for an every-down option. They responded adroitly by signing Matt Forte to a three-year, $12 million contract, with $9 million guaranteed. It's a deal that looks quite prudent for a reliable back who has topped 1,000 rushing yards five times over the last eight seasons. Plus, Forte, who caught 102 passes for the Bears in 2014, adds significant value in the passing game. Moreover, the 30-year-old is a solid finisher near the goal line, but his touchdown total isn't likely to spike, with the Jets preferring to use their big wideouts (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker) in close. Meanwhile, Bilal Powell re-signed after hauling in a career-best 47 passes last season, but the addition of Forte will cut into his pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield. Also added to the mix was Khiry Robinson, who will be competing with Zac Stacy for the team's No. 3 RB job.
SEARCHING FOR SNACKS
In the wake of placing their franchise tag on star DE Muhammad Wilkerson, who racked up a career-high 12 sacks last season, the Jets were forced to watch Damon "Snacks" Harrison move on to the rival Giants. Harrison wasn't a huge IDP due to his lack of sacks, but he is widely considered one of the best interior linemen in the league. While the Jets continue to have plenty of talent along their D-line, with Wilkerson having inked a lucrative extension, Harrison's absence could be a significant hit to their run-stopping ability, not to mention the team's pass defense, with not as much QB pressure on tap. Speaking of said pass defense, noted shutdown corner Darrelle Revis was exposed on his island plenty of times last season, but the Jets did little to upgrade the position, including letting Antonio Cromartie walk in free agency. If the Jets' ability to put pressure on signal-callers suffers this season, Revis, who has never been a big fantasy option given that so few quarterbacks throw his way, could look even worse.
KEY JOB BATTLE
Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are locked into the top two spots on the team's depth chart, but there is a hole to fill in the No. 3 wideout slot, as Devin Smith is likely to miss the first six games of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL. The Jets used plenty of three-WR sets last season, though they didn't get much production outside of Marshall and Decker, and with Matt Forte now in town and Jace Amaro returning from injury, it could be more of the same regardless of whether it's Quincy Enunwa, Kenbrell Thompkins, Jeremy Ross or another player on the field.
PIVOTAL PLAYER
Coming off a career-best season, the still-unsigned Fitzpatrick profiles as the key to the Jets' offense. While the combo of Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Matt Forte can help elevate any QB, the team's skill position players could greatly struggle to replicate last year's numbers if they have to rely on either Geno Smith or rookie Christian Hackenberg.
BAROMETER
RISING: Jace Amaro
Amaro missed last season with a shoulder injury, but he could be the pass-catching TE the Jets have sought for years. If defenses key in on Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker in the red zone, Amaro could get open looks.
FALLING: Brandon Marshall
After finishing with a career-best 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, Marshall is unlikely to reach those levels again, especially if Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't return or get in a full training camp.
SLEEPER: Quincy Enunwa
The Jets like to use three-wideout sets, but they've struggled to find a consistent option behind Marshall and Decker. With Devin Smith working his way back from a torn ACL, Enunwa could be the biggest beneficiary.
THE INJURY FRONT
Jace Amaro, TE - Amaro missed all of last season due to a torn labrum in his shoulder, and while the Jets have two very good wideouts and pass-catching running backs, they'll need Amaro to join the passing game after the Jets got only eight catches from their tight ends last season.
Devin Smith, WR - The No. 3 wide receiver job was supposed to be Smith's, but a torn ACL in December will likely force the Jets to place him on the PUP list, opening the door for players like Quincy Enunwa, Kenbrell Thompkins and Jeremy Ross.
Bilal Powell, RB - Powell missed the end of last season due to an ankle injury, but he's expected to be fully healthy for training camp as he looks to lock up the backup running back spot behind starter Matt Forte.
IDP FOCUS
Muhammad Wilkerson, DE - In a surprise to many, the Jets and Wilkerson agreed on a five-year, $85 million contract extension minutes before the franchise tag deadline, allowing the team to keep their best defensive weapon for the next few years. Wilkerson is coming off a career-high 12 sacks, along with 64 tackles, earning him his first trip to the Pro Bowl, and he'll be fully expected to improve this year.
Sheldon Richardson, DE - Suspended for the first game of the season, Richardson still holds plenty of IDP upside if he can stay on the field, especially with Wilkerson and teammate Leonard Williams taking up so much attention from opposing offensive lines.
Calvin Pryor, S - A bit of a disappointment in his first two seasons, Pryor could be headed for a breakout now that he's had a full season under head coach Todd Bowles, a defensive back specialist. Pryor is known for his hard hitting, but he'll have to do more tackling to really make the IDP jump this year.
OFFSEASON MOVES
KEY ACQUISITIONS:
Matt Forte – RB (from Bears)
Set to take over starting job from departed Chris Ivory.
Christian Hackenberg – QB (Rd. 2, No. 51 – Penn State)
Could compete for starting job if Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't return.
DARRON LEE – LB (Rd. 1, No. 20 – Ohio State)
Somewhat light to project as 3-4 ILB, but his speed is disruptive.
RYAN CLADY – OT (from Broncos)
Will fill in at left tackle for retired D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
KEY LOSSES:
Chris Ivory – RB (to Jaguars)
Career-high rushing yards last year, led NFL in carries inside the five.
JEREMY KERLEY – WR (to Lions)
Led league in punt returns but never produced enough as wideout.
JEFF CUMBERLAND – TE (to Chargers)
Consistent starter, but always more of a blocker.
DAMON HARRISON – DT (to Giants)
Paced team's stellar defensive line with 72 tackles.
