New York Jets free agency update, star-quality illusion and 2021 comp picks

It’s time to update the New York Jets free agency action, dive into the star-quality illusion and think 2021 comp picks.

His entire front office scheme became evident from the jump. Joe Douglas’s way of conducting big-boy NFL free agency seemed obvious once Jack Conklin skipped his way to Cleveland.

It’s about value and the NFL Draft, which is always the correct call for Super Bowl-aspiring franchises.

So here we are, two weeks into free agency with a good idea of what this New York Jets depth chart will look like heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Added:

• Connor McGovern (C, UFA Denver Broncos, 3 years, $27M, $18M guaranteed)
• George Fant (T, UFA Seattle Seahawks, 3 years, $27.3M, $13.7M guaranteed)
• Breshad Perriman (WR, UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 year, $8M, $6M guaranteed)
• Greg Van Roten (G, UFA Tennessee Titans, 3-years, $10.5M, 3.25M guaranteed)
• Josh Andrews (G, UFA Indianapolis Colts, N/A)
• Pierre Desir (CB, FA Indianapolis Colts, N/A)
• Patrick Onwuasor (LB, UFA Baltimore Ravens, N/A)

Re-Signed:

• Alex Lewis (G, UFA, 3 years, $18.6M, $5.6M guaranteed)
• Brian Poole (CB, UFA, 1 year, $5M, $4.5M guaranteed)
• Jordan Jenkins (EDGE, UFA, 1 year, N/A)
• Neville Hewitt (LB, UFA, 1 year, N/A)
• James Burgess (LB, not tendered as RFA, N/A)
• Arthur Maulet (CB, not tendered as RFA, 1 year, N/A)
• Josh Doctson (WR, FA, N/A)
• Bennett Jackson (S, not tendered as ERFA, 1 year, N/A)

Lost:

• Robby Anderson (WR, Carolina Panthers, 2 years, $20M, $12M guaranteed)
• Brandon Shell (T, Seattle Seahawks, 2 years, $9M, $5.1M guaranteed)
• Maurice Canady (CB, Dallas Cowboys, 1 year, $1.25M, $200K guaranteed)
• Brandon Copeland (EDGE, New England Patriots, 1 year, $1.037M, $137.5K guaranteed)
• Brent Qvale (T, Houston Texans, 1 year, N/A)
• Tom Compton (G, San Francisco 49ers, 1 year, N/A)

Still Lingering (UFA):

• Trumaine Johnson (CB)
• Kelvin Beachum (T)
• Ryan Kalil (C)
• Darryl Roberts (CB)
• Demaryius Thomas (WR)
• Trevor Siemian (QB)
• Rontez Miles (S)
• Bilal Powell (RB)
• Ty Montgomery (RB)
• Blake Countess (S)
• Albert McClellan (LB)
• David Fales (QB)
• Paul Worrilow (LB)
• Josh Malone (WR)
• Lac Edwards (P)
• Frankie Luvu (LB)

Upon first glance, there isn’t much incoming star power. Although it looks as though the roster is improved, the perceived “star power” just isn’t there.

Douglas has his price and won’t bend. He also realizes the top-of-the-position free agents—Jack Conklin—are not necessarily “stars” simply due to that top de facto ranking. Representing the best in free agency oftentimes blurs the line between star and solid.

Situation Creates Star Status

Status is incredibly dependent on “situation,” and that is no more evident than in the NFL. Of course, talent matters; but in this league, everybody’s talented. It oftentimes comes down to scheme, availability, ambition and, most importantly, situation.

Take a running back who put up a season that equaled 1,361 yards on the ground for an eye-boggling 4.7 yards-per-carry clip, and compare it against a 789 yards rushing mark to go along with 3.2 yards-per-carry season… which season is the true marker for that player?

If Le’Veon Bell had been drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2013, would he have turned out to be the star he became?