Jets’ focus on Zach Wilson help leaves daunting Robert Saleh task

Zach Wilson walked in and out of the Atlantic Health Training Center this weekend feeling wrapped in a cocoon of comfort.

The Jets’ new franchise quarterback had already inherited first-round pick left tackle Mekhi Becton and second-round pick wide receiver Denzel Mims as well as wide receiver Corey Davis, Joe Douglas’ 2021 free agency catch, then was gifted elite left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and dynamic WR Elijah Moore in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, in this draft, and then a 5-foot-8, 202-pound running back/kick returner named Michael Carter with explosiveness, vision, hands and 4.5 speed in the fourth round.

It was as if Douglas had promised Sam Darnold’s parents that he would get Wilson more Protectors and more Playmakers to give him more of a fighting chance than their exiled son ever had during his turbulent three seasons.

For Darnold, failed as he was by Adam Gase (and to a lesser degree by Le’Veon Bell), the drafting of Becton and the injury-plagued Mims proved too little and too late.

Wilson gets the benefit of a CEO head coach (Robert Saleh) whose force of personality and passion and energy will rally the locker room and change the culture for the better. And a bright offensive coordinator (Mike LaFleur) who will orchestrate an attack tailor-made for Wilson and whose quarterback whispers will not go in one ear and out the other.

This draft gets the Jets off the runway and enables their young new franchise pilot to take flight. This now has the makings of an entertaining offense. Imagine if Douglas had kept WR Robby Anderson instead of replacing him with Breshad Perriman.

So kudos to Douglas for supporting his young franchise quarterback the way Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge have now supported Daniel Jones.

“I do feel like we improved ourselves throughout this offseason,” Douglas said, “and the offseason’s not over until training camp starts.”

There will be the inevitable growing pains for Wilson along the way, because there always are for rookie quarterbacks, so let’s not expect the kid to be any immediate savior, riding in on a green-and-white horse to the deafening roar of “J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!” from a stadium hopefully filled with vaccinated fans.

But he will have competent, professional people in his corner, likely a veteran backup in his way, and enough quality pieces to set him up for success.

Of course as Douglas stayed true to his board, he knowingly could not plug all the holes on the green-and-white Titanic.

With Saleh either bound and gagged or wearing an “In Joe We Trust” headband until the fifth round, some killjoy graffiti artist etched “Defense LOL” on the iceberg up ahead.

Which means:

Wilson will likely be forced to find himself engaged in more than a few shootouts, which a daring gunslinger like him will undoubtedly embrace, but he won’t be playing North Alabama or Western Kentucky anymore.

Saleh will need to show up as the diabolical young Bill Belichick tormenting opposing quarterbacks.

Because the young Richard Sherman isn’t in that cornerback room, and neither is the young Darrelle Revis. Perhaps the 33-year-old Sherman will join it.

All gas for Zach Wilson and no break for Robert Saleh.

“The objective of this entire weekend has been to get better as a team, find a way to fill this roster up because teams win championships, not individual players,” Saleh said, “and I feel like we’ve done a really good job taking not only advantage of value, but positions of need.”

Douglas wisely wasn’t inclined to reach for cornerbacks Kelvin Joseph or Asante Samuel Jr. when the gamechanging Moore was staring him in the face with the 34th pick.

It’s not as if Douglas did nothing for Gang Green in the offseason: He added an edge rusher with upside in Carl Lawson and a former first-round pick in Sheldon Rankins to pair inside with Quinnen Williams. As well as former veteran Eagle DE Vinny Curry, and LB Jarrad Davis to a needy linebacker room.

But Josh Allen won’t be losing any sleep when he reviews Salem’s starting cornerback depth chart: LCB Bless Austin. RCB Bryce Hall.

When Douglas finally threw his rookie head coach a bone, it was hybrid safety-linebacker Jamien Sherwood and free safety-nickel Michael Carter II and Jason Pinnock in the fifth round and safety Hamsah Nasirildeen, CB Brandin Echols and DT Jonathan Marshall in the sixth round. Before picking Carter II, 22 cornerbacks had been drafted.

“Anytime you bring in competition,” Saleh said, “I’m gonna feel good about it, we’re gonna feel good about it.”

Belichick added tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, and WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, and if Cam Newton can rebound or Mac Jones develops into Tom Brady Lite … The Dolphins added WR Jaylen Waddle, the AFC East’s version of Tyreek Hill.

Rome and the Jets weren’t built in a day, or a weekend. Good news: Douglas has a pair of first- and second-round picks in 2022.

All gas for Zach Wilson and no break for Robert Saleh. Exactly the way to go.