An Early Look Ahead to 2021

The double-whammy of the Jamal Adams trade and CJ Mosley opt-out has many fans already looking beyond the 2020 season. Next year looks to be another re-tooling project, with extra draft picks and plenty of cap room to reload the roster.

Let's look at each position group to assess who is actually still under contract for 2021, so that we can get some idea of the team's likely needs.

Obviously some of the players out of contract at the end of this year, especially some of the ones on one-year deals, will probably return but, by the same token, some of these players might not make the team this year or be a part of the plans for 2021 and beyond.

Quarterbacks

This one is pretty straightforward, as Sam Darnold will be heading into his fourth season and eligible for a potential extension for the first time. It's anybody's guess as to how this season might go for Darnold, but that will determine his future.

Behind Darnold, James Morgan will be on year two of his rookie deal. The Jets will also need at least one camp arm and perhaps a veteran back-up if they're not sold on Morgan being ready.

Running Backs

Le'Veon Bell is another player whose future hinges on how 2020 goes for him. If it doesn't go well, he'll like be a cap casualty.

LaMical Perine is waiting in the wings as a possible heir apparent.

Pass catchers

Jamison Crowder will be entering the final year of a three-year deal next season and he'll be joined by Denzel Mims, who will be seeking to build on whatever he achieves in his rookie year.

Braxton Berrios is scheduled to return though and Lawrence Cager and George Campbell will be back if they can steal a spot in 2020.

At tight end, the Jets seem pretty well-set with Chris Herndon, Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco all under contract for 2021.

Offensive line

The Jets could, in theory, return the same offensive line and their swing tackle in 2021, as Connor McGovern, Mekhi Becton, Alex Lewis, Greg Van Roten and both George Fant and Chuma Edoga will all be under contract.

In theory, they could all be back to give the Jets some continuity. In fact, all six are under contract for 2022 as well. With that said, Lewis, Fant and Van Roten all have deals where they could easily be released after 2020. Edoga basically does too, since he's still on his rookie deal.

Cameron Clark is also under contract for 2021, as is the undrafted rookie Jared Hilbers, so it's not impossible one or both of them could be competing for a role by then.

Defensive line

The Jets have some viable long-term depth here, although Foley Fatukasi and Nathan Shepherd will be entering the final year of their rookie deals. Quinnen Williams will hopefully have established himself as an impact player by then.

Henry Anderson is also under contract for 2021 but is a potential cap casualty if he doesn't bounce back from a disappointing 2019 season.

The only other defensive lineman under contract next year is undrafted rookie Sterling Johnson, who is another long-shot.

Edge defenders

As ever, this position looks like one where the Jets will probably be looking to upgrade. 2020 rookies Jabari Zuniga and Bryce Huff are scheduled to return with John Franklin-Myers and Kyle Phillips.

Linebackers

This position is looking very thin with CJ Mosley hoping to make an impact in 2021 despite basically not playing for two years.

The only other contributor at linebacker who is scheduled to be under contract in 2021 is Blake Cashman who has injury concerns of his own. Could the fact he's under contract for 2021 (and 2022) improve his chances of getting playing time in 2020?

Otherwise, the only other linebacker currently under contract for 2021 is futures signing Ahmad Gooden who was already a long-shot even before he ended up on the Covid list.

Cornerbacks

Cornerback is another position where the Jets brought in a bunch of guys on one-year deals, so the only two players under contract for 2021 are recent draft picks Blessuan Austin and Bryce Hall.

It would be good if they established themselves and even better if either of the undrafted rookie corners - Javelin Guidry and Lamar Jackson - could step up and provide depth.

Safety

With Marcus Maye and Bradley McDougald out of contract at the end of the season, that makes Ashtyn Davis' development a key factor at this position.

Undrafted rookie Shyheim Carter - another player who is on the Covid list - could potentially compete for a role here.

Special Teams

The long snapper and punter roles are covered with Thomas Hennessy and Braden Mann due back but the Jets don't currently have a kicker under contract for 2021. Players like Berrios, Cashman and Hall can also contribute here.

Other futures signings

Other than Gooden, who only got a mention because the Jets are so thin at the linebacker position, we would assume none of the other futures signings will be back even though they're all under contract for 2021 as things stand.

The Jets have quarterback Mike White, defensive back Anthony Cioffi and four offensive linemen (Corbin Kaufusi, Brad Lundblade, Jimmy Murray and Leo Koloamatangi) on futures deals that run through 2021.