The New York Jets are coming off a 2-14 season but made drastic offseason changes. This Sunday marks their first game of the 2021 season as they will take on the Carolina Panthers on the road. Fans will get to see how the offseason moves have improved this Jets team.
They brought in a new head coach in Robert Saleh and have built a young core. In the offseason, the Jets traded away Sam Darnold and selected his replacement, Zach Wilson, with the 2nd pick in the draft. The Jets then traded up to select offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, who will be vital in protecting Wilson. The Jets had a phenomenal draft, and this season will be all about developing their core.
With that said, here are 4 bold predictions for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
4. Elijah Moore catches his first career TD for Jets
The Jets prioritized adding offensive weapons after selecting Wilson. In the second round, the Jets drafted wide receiver, Elijah Moore. Moore improved his route running throughout college, and his game should translate well to the NFL. He also has elite speed, which will allow him to burn defenses over the top.
Moore will be one of the major weapons in the Jets offense due to his speed and versatility. Saleh will be able to put those qualities to good use, making Moore a threat to score at all times.
3. The defense forces a turnover
While the Jets don't have an elite defense, they have a great coach in Saleh. Saleh was the Defensive Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and led their defense to be an elite unit on their Super Bowl run in 2020. His defensive system should make up for the lack of established defensive talent.
The Jets have some proven individuals defensively, including Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, and Marcus Maye. This unit's success will rely on Saleh's scheme as well as the development of players.
2. Corey Davis goes over 100 yards
One of the biggest acquisitions in the offseason was signing wide receiver Corey Davis. The Jets signed Davis to a 3-year $37.5 million deal following his breakout season with the Tennessee Titans. Last season, Davis had 65 receptions for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns. He will be the top receiver for the Jets this season and should see many targets.
Rookie quarterback Wilson will likely rely on Davis to make big plays. His combination of size and speed is what makes Davis a great receiver. The Panthers have a solid secondary with Donte Jackson, Jaycee Horn, and Jeremy Chinn, but Davis will still be the offense's focal point on Sunday.
1. Zach Wilson throws for 300 yards
The number two overall pick will make his first NFL start against the Panthers. While rookie quarterbacks don't always fare well in their debuts, the Jets have built a good offense around Wilson. They have really set him up for success early in his NFL career, unlike what they did with Sam Darnold.
Wilson has a plethora of weapons to throw, including Davis, Moore, Keelan Cole, and Jamison Crowder. The Panthers have some talented defenders, but they are not a top unit in the league. Wilson should have a great first game of his NFL career.
This matchup is bound to be great as Wilson and Darnold battle it out. The former Jets quarterback will seek revenge while the new-look Jets regime starts their quest to develop the young core. Look for this to be a close game with a ton of storylines to follow.
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