AVERAGE JOE
Douglas’ Jet free-agent moves nothing to get excited about yet
Joe Douglas’ first week of roster transformation has been littered with lowcost, one-year agreements with players who weren’t in high demand. The notion of bargain hunting during free agency only works if the players you add are actually good. Some believe that you get what you pay for.
It’s disingenuous to suggest that every addition is a good one. They’re not. It’s comical to portray every new player as an improvement. They’re not.
But Douglas &
Co. made some strategic choices that they believe will help in the short term.
Time will tell whether these signings helped Gang Green move in the right direction, but here’s a first semester report card on Douglas’ initial moves:
OLB Jordan Jenkins: A
The Jets brought back their sack leader from last season on a one-year, $5 million deal. Jenkins, who has improved every season since Gang Green took him in the third round in 2016, is a solid piece for Gregg Williams.
Jenkins eschewed other options with the Patriots and Ravens because he wanted to play for Williams again. Douglas & Co. deserve credit for retaining a dependable piece to their defensive puzzle.
Center Connor McGovern: B
Although Adam Gase spoke fondly of Jonotthan Harrison whenever asked last season, actions speak louder than words. Douglas was always eyeing a replacement. Harrison did a quality job replacing two failed free-agent signings (Spencer Long and Ryan Kalil) in the past two seasons. He lost his starting job just before training camp when Douglas believed that luring Ryan Kalil out of retirement for $8 million made better sense.
I touched base with several talent evaluators, including one of McGovern’s former coaches, who believe that he is a decent, disciplined player. Douglas gave him a three-year deal with $18 million guaranteed, so he’s hoping he’s found his answer in the pivot beyond just 2020.
Guard Greg Van Roten: C
Truth be told, Douglas wanted to sign versatile veteran interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski, who started in the Super Bowl for the Eagles when Douglas was in Philly. Wisniewski ideally would have been a glue guy for Gang Green, but he eschewed a solid offer to return to his hometown Steelers.
Van Roten became a starter on the left side in Carolina in 2018 are a circuitous route that included a stop in the CFL. He’s a Long Island guy, who grew up rooting for the Jets. So, he definitely wants to be here. The central question is whether the Jets feel good about using him as a full-time starter. Is he an upgrade or lateral move from Brian Winters, whose future with the team remains murky given his $7.3 million price tag for 2020? Van Roten is on a three-year deal with an easy escape hatch for the club after 2020.
OT George Fant: C
Douglas took his biggest risk by entrusting Fant to protect Sam Darnold’s blind side. That’s subject to change in the coming weeks depending on how things shake out during the rest of free agency and the draft. Fant could slide to the right side. For now, the Jets are penciling him as the starting left tackle.
Fant did a nice job as Seattle’s sixth offensive lineman, but Douglas is taking a leap of faith making him the full-time starter. There are unquestionably tantalizing elements to Fant’s game. The former college basketball player is athletic and terrific on the move in space. However, he’s still developing as a pass protector, which is the primary job of every left tackle. Douglas gave Fant a one-year, $9.25 million deal dressed up as a three-year agreement. He’ll have a trial period in 2020.
The Jets would have been better served re-signing Kelvin Beachum. Bottom line: It appears as if they downgraded at one of the three most important positions in football.
Guard Alex Lewis: B
Lewis was solid last season after coming over in a deal with the Ravens. He got banged up towards the end of the year, which has been a soundtrack in the first few years of his career. Douglas essentially committed $6 million for one year. It’s a worthwhile investment.
Cornerback Brian Poole: B
Poole’s coverage skills still need polishing, but he brings a toughness that works in Gregg Williams’ defense. It was a quality decision to bring him back on another one-year deal.
Cornerback Pierre Desir: B
The Jets are desperate for outside cornerbacks after Gregg Williams had to tinker with a suspect group last season. Desir struggled in 2019, allowing five touchdowns and opposing quarterbacks to complete 65% of their passes with a 96.5 passer rating against him. He missed four games with a bum hamstring, which gives the Jets hope that his decline in production was an aberration. He had a solid 2018 campaign, but he’s turning 30 before the season.
Will he be an upgrade over Trumaine Johnson? It’s hard not to be.
Some fans are acting as if Desir was cut simply because he made too much money for the Colts. That’s not true.
Cornerback Arthur Maulet: C
A cheap, one-year deal for a backup who showed moments of quality play. Hard to complain about that.
Safety/Special Teamer Marquis Christian: C
Christian is a core special teamer who logged about the third of the snaps at safety. He’s on a cheap one-year deal, so it’s hard to get too excited or be too critical about this one.
Linebacker Neville Hewitt: B
Good move by Douglas to secure Hewitt on a cheap, oneyear deal. He might wind up being a starter again. If not, he’ll be a core special teamer. I’m surprised that Hewitt didn’t get more money. The Jets deserve credit there.
OL Josh Andrews: C
Andrews has no starts in five seasons. He’ll be a depth piece to the puzzle.
ILB James Burgess: B
Burgess, a non-tendered restricted free agent, returned on a one-year deal. He was a pleasant surprise after arriving during the season. Another solid reclamation project by Williams.