Sifting through the New York Jets’ maneuverable future: Draft assets, salary cap

When sifting through the New York Jets' future, by way of draft assets and salary cap situation, the maneuverability becomes clear. Ladies and gentlemen, the New York Jets' future is loaded. I know, you, the fan, has already heard this before---too many times, in fact. The overwhelming general sentiment: The Jets' future is bright while the present remains bleak. Sacrificing yet another star player for future assets is just Monday for the Jets. Names such as Keyshawn Johnson, John Abraham, Darrelle Revis and now Jamal Adams bolting town---whether it was the individual player's goal or not---forces these mega trades to feel as often as Monday. And although these stars escaping New York have coincided with Super Bowl-less years, it's not nearly as easy as matching up one-to-one. The Jets have qualified for as many playoff appearances (7) from 1998 through 2010 (during the period they traded away Johnson and Abraham) as they did for the first 38 seasons of play (1960-1997). Great players are nice to have, but it's never the end-all, be-all. This league is about drafting properly and legitimate salary-cap success---something Joe Douglas understands fully. And now, he's put himself in a phenomenal spot to get the Jets' future right. 2021 offseason Draft picks: Round 1 Round 1 (via Seahawks/Jamal Adams trade) Round 2 Round 3 Round 3 (via Seahawks/Jamal Adams trade) Round 4 Round 5 Round 5 (via Giants/Leonard Williams trade, will turn into a 2021 fourth-rounder if Williams re-signs prior to 2021 league year) Round 6 (conditional/could be Jets, Cowboys or Patriots trade depending on conditions) Round 7 Round 7 (conditional/Parry Nickerson trade) This is the offseason. Some have argued all it takes is one draft to right the ship, but if Douglas nailed the 2020 NFL draft, he can simply use the 2021 version to pile on the talent. Obviously, most of the draft capital comes from the Adams deal. Two first-rounders, a second, two thirds, a fourth (possibly two fourths), two fifths (one fifth if Leonard Williams re-signs with the Giants prior to the 2021 season, a sixth and at least one seven is the current capital owned by the Jets. Twenty-thirteen marks the last time the Jets owned two first-round picks. Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson didn't exactly work out. Prior to that, 2006 marked the time prior to that grave 2013 disappointment---the flagship draft that helped create, arguably, the best roster in the NFL from 2008-2010. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold marked the last time the Jets selected a first-round offensive lineman (prior to Mekhi Becton this past virtual offseason). Salary cap situation: Cap space: $73.8 million Dead money: $11.6 million (Trumaine Johnson: $8 million/Quincy Enunwa: $3.6 million) Potential cuts: Le'Veon Bell ($9.5 million), Henry Anderson ($8.2 million), Jamison Crowder ($10.5 million), George Fant ($7.4 million), Alex Lewis ($5.3 million), Greg Van Roten ($3.2 million) Currently sitting with $30.3 million in cap space, the Jets have placed themselves in a position to handle the future. Nobody knows what the cap will look like next year (due to 2020 overall revenue that's pandemic-related). A cool $73.8 million is currently available in 2021, and this is without the potential Le'Veon Bell and Henry Anderson cuts that save over $17 million. And while Douglas needs to be cognizant of not turning into John Idzik 2.0, who flexed his "flexibility" muscle at every turn, possessing serious maneuverability in the cap game means everything. Some of the 2021 free-agents to-be (at this moment) include Matt Judon, Bud Dupree, Yannick Ngakoue, Joe Thuney, David Bakhtiari, Justin Simmons, Ronnie Stanley and Shaquil Barrett. Of course, as I have detailed prior, Douglas it not about the free-agent game; it's value all the way in his front office. The team that usually wins the headlines during free agency usually disappoint the following season. (Ask the Jets, who have out-spent the rest a couple of times in the Mike Maccagnan era.) Why the available money is useful, however, is to patch-up much-needed areas and to keep in-house studs. If the team's edge presence is still dire in February 2021, Douglas could go crazy on a legit, young edge rusher (if that guy is available). In terms of in-house studs, there's serious work to do. The 2020 season is what will allow Douglas to know which guys will be worth the investment. Sam Darnold, for example, will fully be on display this season. Finally, with a legitimate (hopefully) offensive line at his disposal, Douglas and the Jets will know whether serious money is needed to lock him up long-term. Quinnen Williams would be next, Chris Herndon and Marcus Maye after that, and then the 2020 class---so long as they all produce to the necessary level. If all the previously-stated players fail, it'll be about buying time---allowing the drafted players from 2020 and beyond to work their way to a deserving second contract while supplementing with free agents. Comparing with one of the better salary-cap organizations in the league, the New England Patriots, the Jets pretty much match them dollar for dollar. The Pats currently have $35.3 million in space (to Jets' $30.3 million) and $74.9 million in 2021 (to Jets' $73.8 million). There will always be free agents to spend the money on to supplement own-drafted talent. It's just critical free agency is never the main path when seeking a championship. 2022 offseason Draft picks: Round 1 Round 1 (via Seattle/Jamal Adams trade) Round 2 Round 3 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 The 2022 NFL draft features an extra first-rounder without the fourth. Hey, it's still a win despite the sight of eight-plus picks on the board. Salary cap situation: Cap space: $122.3 million Dead money: N/A Potential cuts: Le'Veon Bell ($13 million), George Fant ($9.6 million), C.J. Mosley ($5 million), Connor McGovern ($9 million), Alex Lewis ($6.4 million), Greg Van Roten ($3.5 million), Ryan Griffin ($2.9 million) By the time 2022 rolls around, this will fully be Douglas' roster. C.J. Mosley can be cut for the first time ($5 million in savings). As previously detailed, Mosley's contract was unfortunately pushed back a full year thanks to his COVID-19 opt-out this season---a contractual killer for the Jets. Jet X Graphic, Getty Images 2023 offseason Draft picks: Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Salary cap situation: Cap space: $204.9 million Players under contract (9): C.J. Mosley, Mekhi Becton, Denzel Mims, Thomas Hennessy, Ashtyn Davis, Jabari Zuniga, La'Mical Perine, James Morgan, Cameron Clark, Bryce Hall, Braden Mann Remember, this Jets general manager has no problem picking up the phone (or answering the phone when other teams call about his stud strong safety). Douglas has already executed nine trades in his short 14 months as the front office boss. For comparison, Maccagnan pulled off 26 in 40 months and Idzik agreed to a measly three trades in 24 months. With plenty of cap room and draft capital at his disposal, the Jets' trading game will not slow down a bit. From a value perspective, while allowing for the greatest opportunity (with a number of chances), Joe Douglas had already cleared house. It's now simply a matter of executing by way of value (drafting well, executing smart trades and free-agent signings that supplement the in-house talent). The New York Jets' maneuverable future is blatantly obvious post-Jamal Adams.