The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s chat about the New York Jets.
New York Jets
Key acquisitions: G Laken Tomlinson, TE C.J. Uzomah, CB D.J. Reed, S Jordan Whitehead, DE Jacob Martin, TE Tyler Conklin, K Greg Zuerlein, LB Marcell Harris
Re-signed: WR Braxton Berrios, S Lamarcus Joyner, DT Nathan Shepherd, RB Tevin Coleman, G Dan Feeney, OT Conor McDermott, QB Joe Flacco, S Will Parks, FB Nick Bawden
Departures: S Marcus Maye (Saints), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (Jaguars), WR Jamison Crowder (Bills), OT Morgan Moses (Ravens), LB Blake Cashman (Texans), LB Jarrad Davis (Lions), TE Ryan Griffin (Bears)
Remaining free agents: WR Keelan Cole, G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, TE Tyler Kroft
Analysis: Are the Jets…getting good? I’m really liking what the Jets are doing right now. They’ve been spending big money on solid players, and had their best free agency, only losing a few starters while adding their replacements.
Ever since Joe Douglas was hired as general manager after the 2019 draft, everyone was talking about how he will focus on rebuilding the offensive line, and that’s exactly what he’s gone. He signed center Connor McGovern, tackle George Fant, and guard Greg Van Roten in 2020, then drafted Mekhi Becton that same year, then drafted guard Alijah Vera-Tucker last year. This year, the Jets signed former 49ers guard Laken Tomlinson to a three-year deal. After entering the league as a first-round pick in 2015 with the Lions, he was traded to San Francisco in 2017 and became a full-time starter for five years and earned a Pro Bowl last year. He likely will take Van Roten’s spot at guard, unless things don’t work out with Becton. Apparently behind the scenes, the former rookie phenom isn’t taking his game seriously and isn’t progressing well with his rehab from injury, and if he doesn’t shape up he could be shipped out. If that’s the case, Vera-Tucker could move to tackle. Either way, Tomlinson will be a big part of this offensive line.
Added to the offensive skill positions is former Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah and former Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin. Both players are in the B-tier of tight end who have had solid seasons with their former teams. Uzomah spent seven years with the Bengals but wasn’t a huge factor until recent years. Conklin was in a similar boat in his four years with the Vikings. He was a backup for three years behind Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, then in 2021, after the release of Rudolph and a season-ending injury to Smith, Conklin was named the starter and had a solid season with 593 yards and three touchdowns. Now both players unite to be a solid 1-2 combo.
The team also brought back wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who became an All-Pro returner and solid slot receiver, and veteran running back Tevin Coleman, while Jamison Crowder signed with the Bills after three years.
On defense, the Jets added two new starters in the secondary in cornerback D.J. Reed and strong safety Jordan Whitehead. Reed is a former fifth-round pick of the 49ers who was cut in 2020 and claimed by the Seahawks and became an instant starter, and had a very good 2021 season. He gets a three-year deal to be a starter alongside Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols. Whitehead has been a starter throughout his four-year career with the Buccaneers and signed with the Jets on a two-year deal. Whitehead will be the starter alongside Lamarcus Joyner and Ashtyn Davis, taking the place of Marcus Maye, who signed with the Saints after five years in New York.
Couple more moves on defense is the signing of pass rusher Jacob Martin, who’s been a career depth player, and re-signed defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd. He’ll likely have a bigger role after the departure of Foley Fatukasi to the Jaguars. One-time starting linebacker Blake Cashman was traded to the Texans for a late-round pick and Jarrad Davis returned to the Lions.
Conclusion: I’m really liking what the Jets are doing. They are digging themself out of the hole they dug for themselves over the last two plus decades and are finally starting to see the light. The roster is being built nicely with a lot of veteran signings with some draft picks sprinkled in. The spotlight now shifts to second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who is hoping to take steps into becoming the franchise quarterback the Jets have so desperately needed for so long. I think people are gonna start rooting for the Jets because people love a good underdog story, and this team is set up quite well to do just that.
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