FIRST LOOK
Giants, Jets targeting offensive line in early mock draft
The Jets took a relatively prudent approach in free agency, prompting some to wonder whether Joe Douglas subscribes to the slow-and-steady-winsthe-race mantra or if he was simply cash-strapped by ownership. (For what it’s worth, the Jets told agents in the past couple weeks that they simply didn’t have the cash).
Regardless, Douglas gave out prove-it deals to 12 of 13 players that he added in the past couple weeks. Here’s a closer look at some of the free-agent contracts doled out by the rookie general manager.
ONE-YEAR COMMITMENTS DRESSED UP AS THREE-YEAR DEALS
OT George Fant: Three years, $27.3 million
Base Salaries:
2020: $4.6 million (plus $3 million signing bonus and
$1.25 million roster bonus due on fifth day of league year)
2021: $8 million
2022: 9.25 million
Salary Cap Charges:
2020: 7.25 million
2021: 9.4 million
2022: $10.65 million
Analysis: Fant can earn up to $30.3 million if he hits his $1.5 million play-time/playoffs escalators in 2021 and 2022, but this is a de-facto 1-year, $9.25 million deal for the Seahawks’ former valued backup/spot starter.
The Jets have a relatively painless escape hatch after 2020. Douglas is essentially giving Fant a one-year trial to be a full-time starter. He’s penciled in as the starting left tackle, but that could change if Gang Green drafts a tackle in the first round of the upcoming draft. Fant might ultimately slide over to the right side. Either way, the Jets could cut him after one season with minimal financial damage. The team would save $7.4 million and incur only a $2 million dead money charge if they parted ways after this season, per Over The Cap.
OG Alex Lewis: Three years, $18.6 million Base Salaries:
2020: $1.1 million (plus $2.5 million signing bonus and $2 million roster bonus due on fifth day of league year)
2021: $5.8 million
2022: $6 million
Salary Cap Charges:
2020: $4.3 million
2021: $7 million
2022: $7.2 million
Analysis: Lewis was a solid piece last year, but the Jets maintained flexibility with a de facto one-year, $6 million pact. If Douglas wants to move on after one season, he can do so with minimal financial barriers. The Jets would free up $5.7 million on the 2021 cap and incur a $1.7 million dead money charge if they cut Lewis.
OL Greg Van Roten: Three years, $10.5 million
Base Salaries:
2020: $1 million (plus $2 million roster bonus on the fifth day after the contract is signed)
2021: $3 million
2022: $3 million
Salary Cap Charges:
2020: $3.3 million
2021: $3.5 million
2022: $3.5 million
Analysis: The three-year deal on paper is essentially a one-year, $3.5 million prove-it deal for the former Panthers guard. Van Roten’s starting spot is hardly guaranteed given the relatively modest 2020 investment. He can earn up to $1.25 million more each season in play-time and Pro Bowl incentives, but the Jets could make a relatively clean break after 2020 if they wanted. Douglas would save $3.25 million with just a $250,000 dead money charge in 2021 if he wanted to part ways with Van Roten after one season.
ONE-YEAR DEALS
CB Brian Poole: 1 year, $5 million Signing bonus: $3 million
Base Salary: $1.5 million (plus up to $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses)
Analysis: The Jets get back their starting slot corner on a second consecutive prove-it deal. Gang Green loves Poole’s attitude and toughness. They’re cautiously optimistic that his coverage improves.
CB Pierre Desir: 1 year, $5.5 million maximum value
Analysis: Desir’s base contract will be closer to $3.75 million, according to people familiar with the situation. Either way, the soon-to-be 30-year-old corner has an opportunity to prove to all 32 teams that his injury-plagued 2019 campaign was an aberration rather than a sign of things to come.
OLB Jordan Jenkins: 1 year, $5 million Analysis: The Jets’ leader in sacks from last season would have signed elsewhere on a multi-year deal if a couple dominos fell. They didn’t, so he’s back to play in a scheme that he loved for a coach, Gregg Williams, that he respects.
ILB Neville Hewitt: 1 year, $2 million Base salary: $1 million
Signing Bonus: $1 million
Analysis: Kudos to the Jets for a really good deal for a guy with 12 starts last season.