O-line & WRs among Jets’ top priorities
Joe Douglas has not made any splashy moves at the start of free agency, choosing instead to search for bargains.
The Jets’ general manager has already addressed some of the team’s needs. He is signing quarterback Tyrod Taylor to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup. John Simpson should be the team’s starting left guard. He reached deals with Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu to provide some depth at defensive tackle.
But Douglas still has plenty of work to do. Here’s a look at what the team’s biggest remaining needs are and what options the Jets have:
Offensive line: Simpson was a start but he’s hardly the only move that Douglas has to make to provide protection for Rodgers. The team still needs two more starters, with one likely coming in next month’s draft.
The tackle market has been pretty quiet. Tyron Smith, considered the top free agent at the position, has not signed. Smith is 33 and is an injury risk so the Jets may have concerns about signing him, but if his market craters and he could be had for a bargain, it may be worth the risk.
The Bengals’ Jonah Williams is also still on the market.
The guard market has been much more active than tackle with some monster deals getting done. The Jets added Simpson, but they could opt to sign another guard and have Alijah Vera-Tucker play tackle. Another former Raven, Kevin Zeitler, is the top guard still on the market. He is 34 years old, another age risk the Jets may want to avoid.
Wide receiver: The wide receiver market has been really slow to develop. Calvin Ridley, who is considered to be the top receiver in free agency, may be waiting until after 4 p.m. on Wednesday to re-sign with Jacksonville. The Jaguars would only give up a third-round pick if they wait until then. If they sign him before then, they would have to give the Falcons a second-round pick as a condition of the trade. The Patriots are also believed to be trying to land Ridley, who could get nearly $20 million per season.
The Ridley market sounds too rich for the way the Jets are spending right now. Marquise Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyler Boyd are in the next group of free-agent receivers. The Jets need to get someone to complement Garrett Wilson and they may need to draft another receiver.
Edge: This was not a need a few days ago but Bryce Huff’s departure for the Eagles has created a hole at the position. Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich like to have three speed rushers for third down. They have Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald at the moment but need to find a third. There are not many options left in free agency after the top ones were either given the franchise tag or already signed. Douglas is going to have to find a diamond in the rough.
Safety: The Jets re-signed Chuck Clark, who tore his ACL in June and did not play a down for them. Ashtyn Davis and Jordan Whitehead are both free agents. The Jets could bring Davis back and that would give them three safeties with Clark and Tony Adams. The free-agent market is underwhelming but Douglas could take a flyer on a cheap alternative. There were a bunch of veteran safeties who got cut in cost-cutting moves over the last few weeks. They could be cheap.
Defensive tackle: The Jets already have added two players here but it’s doubtful they are done. Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas are free agents who the Jets might try to bring back. The Jets love a deep defensive line rotation and they need some more bodies to fill it out.