28. New York Jets (1-3)

The Jets are another one of those franchises, who don’t seem to be quite ready to compete, but have the quarterback and some other pieces in place to become a contender in the near future. I know Sam Darnold has struggled a little since that exceptional season-opener at Detroit, but I believe in him as a leader and I think these experiences will only make him better going forward.

The offensive line can’t protect their future yet, which was apparent with the Jaguars pass rush chasing the rookie around on Sunday, and none of those targets in the passing game have been dependable outside of Quincy Enunwa, who even dropped a big fourth-down conversion himself.
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However, I think Gang Green is a difference-making edge rusher away from fielding a top-ten defense. They have two above-average corners, Big Cat Williams is getting it done on the interior, their two inside linebackers can cover ground and Jamal Adams is the tone-setter for this unit. Once again, I think the Jets are at least a year away since they have to rebuild the O-line and surround Darnold with weapons, but their outlook is a lot brighter now than it had been.
29. Oakland Raiders (1-3)

The Raiders on the other hand, I’m not really sure what they are trying to do. Jon Gruden has come in and put a team together that he wants, in an attempt to change the working culture. They traded away their best player Khalil Mack, who has been unbelievable for Chicago, because they didn’t have the money to pay him and they wanted to restock with the draft picks they got from the Bears.
So now they have an extra first-round pick these next two years, hoping to regain a difference maker like Mack as Gruden has been talking about how hard it is to find a pass rusher. In the meantime, Mack is breaking records. So while I understand that you have to get assets before he walks out the door for nothing, why would you put together the oldest team in the league if you want to build on youth?
Marshawn Lynch has looked revitalized, Derek Carr is finding his groove in that offense and Jordy Nelson has been an excellent addition, but the Raiders aren’t competing for the AFC West this year and those Bears draft picks don’t seem that intriguing right now as those guys are 3-1.
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