Joe Douglas brings back a familiar face on the offensive line.
After agreeing to sign George Fant yesterday, Joe Douglas has struck up an agreement with Alex Lewis, who started 12 games for the Jets in 2019.
Source: Jets agreed to terms on a 3-year, $18.6M deal with OL Alex Lewis
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 17, 2020
Alex Lewis’ deal with the Jets includes $6M guaranteed.
Jets have filled their left guard spot. https://t.co/G0mymAng3Y
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 17, 2020
Lewis is a below-average starter (21st percentile among guards in overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2019) with an injury history, but he is respectable enough to hold the fort down at left guard while the Jets search for a long-term solution. With only $6 million guaranteed, the Jets are hardly tied to him and can escape the deal without much harm.
The Jets must continue looking for reliability upfront. Fant and Lewis are a nice start for depth and security, but neither does enough to move the needle in a positive direction.
Broncos center Connor McGovern and Eagles left tackle Jason Peters (I wrote about why Peters makes sense for the Jets here) are two of the solid starters still out there on the market. Redskins left tackle Trent Williams, an elite player when healthy, is on the trade market. Adding at least one of these players needs to be a priority for Douglas and company.
