JETS IN HOT PURSUIT OF TOP CB
Jets have talked with reps for free-agent CB
GANG TALK WITH FREE AGENT RYAN
Jets general manager Joe Douglas is not done fixing the team’s 2020 roster, and it looks like he is in the market for a cornerback.
The team has had discussions with the representatives for free-agent cornerback Logan Ryan but has not made him a formal offer, according to sources. There is no strong feeling inside the organization about whether Ryan will actually land with the team, sources said.
Ryan, 29, remains one of the top available free agents. He was not re-signed by the Titans. The Jets could still use some help in the secondary, but Ryan may be out of their price range.
There have been reports that Ryan is seeking $10 million per year. The Jets have demonstrated this offseason they are not throwing that kind of money around. It also is so late in free agency that it would be surprising to see contracts like that get done now.
Ryan played three seasons for the Titans after four with the Patriots. He has 17 career interceptions, including four in 2019. He can play outside and inside at cornerback and some believe he may move to safety soon. The Jets currently have Pierre Desir, Bless Austin and Arthur Maulet as their top outside corners with Brian Poole as the nickel corner. The team drafted Bryce Hall in the fifth round out of Virginia. Hall is coming off a serious ankle injury.
Ryan was primarily a slot corner for the Titans, so it is unclear how he would fit with the Jets, who just re-signed Poole to play that role. Pro
Football Focus rated him the 62nd cornerback last year out of the 112 the site graded.
Douglas surely is looking at all options at cornerback still. Ryan could be one of those options but his price tag likely will have to drop.
The Jets have $14.9 million in salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap. They will get an additional $11 million after the Trumaine Johnson release is processed on June 1. The team needs about $9 million of that to sign its draft picks. But there will still be plenty of money left to make more moves in free agency.
If Ryan does not end up signing with the Jets, the other top free-agent cornerbacks are Darqueze Dennard, Daryl Worley, Aqib Talib and Dre Kirkpatrick.
The Jets also could be in the market for an edge-rusher, though top free agent Jadeveon Clowney is likely too expensive for them. Everson Griffen, Jabaal Sheard, Cameron Wake and Markus Golden are a few of the other pass-rushers still on the open market.
Another position to watch is backup quarterback. The Jets currently have David Fales and James Morgan behind Sam Darnold. They could use a veteran arm. They had discussions with Andy Dalton, a source confirmed, before he signed with the Cowboys. Cam Newton, Joe Flacco, Drew Stanton, Trevor Siemian and Matt Moore are some of the veterans who remain free agents.