Jets GM Joe Douglas making case for NFL Executive of the Year
With the New York Jets outpacing preseason expectations and several of their young players already performing like future stars, it's time to put GM Joe Douglas into the NFL Executive of the Year conversation.
When Douglas joined the organization in 2019, he was handed a roster that current head coach Robert Saleh described in an interview last month as "worse than an expansion team." Now, as the Jets enter Week 6 with their best record since 2015 (3-2), it's clear Douglas has put together a roster that can contend with almost any team in the NFL.
This is mostly due to the continued development of Douglas's 2021 draft class and the early success of his 2022 selections.
Douglas was questioned by some for using his first 2021 pick on quarterback Zach Wilson and then trading up for guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. Wilson appears to be progressing nicely, possessing a higher Pro Football Focus grade than any other quarterback from his draft class (77.4).
As for Vera-Tucker, his raw athletic ability has helped the Jets overcome injuries on their offensive line as he has switched from left guard to right guard to left tackle to right tackle and continued to perform at a high level. Former NFL lineman Brian Baldinger praised his play:
Douglas is also earning kudos for the 2022 draft class.
Only five games into the season, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is considered a top-tier corner. NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah called him the best rookie through a quarter of the season.
Gardner, second-year slot corner Michael Carter II and free-agent addition D.J. Reed have helped transform a bottom-three passing defense in 2021 into a top-10 unit that allows allowing only 205.8 passing yards per game.
Jeremiah ranked WR Garrett Wilson fifth on his list of top rookies. The wideout has two touchdown catches — including a game-winner against the Browns in Week 2. He has the ability to make something out of nothing while putting defenders on skates.
Rookie running back Breece Hall is 12th in the NFL in all-purpose yards with 488. That's only 20 yards behind wide receiver Stefon Diggs, one of the stars on the Buffalo Bills' dangerous offense.
Despite limited reps, rookie edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (two sacks) has dominated against the run.
Two fourth-round picks — offfensive lineman Max Mitchell and defensive tackle Micheal Clemons — show promise.
It's clear that Douglas's 2022 draft class may be one of the best in Jets recent history. If the team continues on this trajectory, don't be surprised if Douglas earns the NFL Executive of the Year award.
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