Jets general manager Joe Douglas has had an up-and-down tenure. He’s had highs like the 2022 draft with adding Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. He’s also had lows such as the 2020 draft, where only four of the nine players selected — Mekhi Becton, Denzel Mims, Ashtyn Davis, Bryce Hall — are still with the team and none of the four are seen as pillars of the franchise. There’s also the quarterback miss from 2021 that has led to the Jets pushing for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Perhaps it’s fitting then that Douglas landed right smack in the middle of Gregg Rosenthal’s general manager power rankings at No. 16.
“Give Douglas credit for setting up a team that looks to be only a quarterback away … while not forgetting that every quarterback decision Douglas has made thus far has been wrong, from keeping Sam Darnold for one last miserable season to drafting Zach Wilson with the second overall pick. The terms of the presumptive Aaron Rodgers trade remain to be seen, but it can be a totally sensible move and one borne of desperation at the same time.
Drafting both Rookies of the Year in 2022 — along with Breece Hall! — will forever be on Douglas’ bio, a haul that will float the Jets for years after a couple ragged classes under Douglas. His free agency work has been strong as well, with D.J. Reed and Duane Brown among the wins. The defense is stacked and the offensive line has improved. Douglas isn’t ranked higher because the team has gone 13-37 after Douglas’ first three complete offseasons, but it sure looks like the Jets are ready to turn a corner.”
2023 is considered by some a make-or-break season for the current regime, which helps explain the all-in actions. At least trying to look like they’re all in. Douglas has a chance to nail another draft in 2023, but if things fall apart this year, he may not be running the Jets’ draft in 2024.
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