For the first time in years, New York has a truly talented young core. Dart, Nabers, and pass rusher Abdul Carter are all 22 years old. All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas is 26. Defensive end Brian Burns, who coleads the NFL in sacks with Myles Garrett, is 27, and deeply overqualified rotational pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the former fifth pick in the draft, is 24. All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is having a down season but is just 27 and the oldest member of this group. New York has a promising quarterback on a rookie contract, an elite-looking receiver on a rookie contract, a stalwart left tackle, and a loaded defensive line.
They need cornerbacks and may need to upgrade the majority of their offensive line, but the most important—and expensive—positions on the roster are already accounted for. Worst-to-first divisional turnarounds have been spawned from much less.