Where will the New York Jets’ unrestricted free agents end up?
The New York Jets are set to have 18 players become unrestricted free agents this offseason.
For the Jets, cap space will be no issue when it comes to retaining any of these free agents. Over The Cap projects New York to have the fifth-most cap space in the NFL ($48.1 million) while the team can open up more space through a few cuts.
Whether the Jets retain each free agent will come down to two deciding factors.
The most important factor is the difference between the value that New York sets on each player compared to the best offer the player has on the market. Secondly, it must be considered whether players can find a better opportunity to succeed elsewhere.
So, how many of their unrestricted free agents will the Jets keep?
Let’s predict what will happen with each Jet who is about to become an unrestricted free agent.
Braxton Berrios
Braxton Berrios is arguably the most intriguing free agent the Jets have. He was a contributor to the Jets for the last three seasons and improved each year. Down the stretch in 2021, he played great football as both a receiver and returner, earning All-Pro honors as a kickoff returner.
This one will likely come down to what the highest bidder on the market may offer Berrios.
Ultimately, the Jets will offer the best deal and re-sign Berrios to a multi-year contract.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a multi-year deal
Folorunso Fatukasi
Over the last three years, Folorunso Fatukasi has been a core piece of the Jets defense. Although he was not the most ideal scheme fit in 2021, Fatukasi still did good things.
With that being said, Fatukasi will probably seek to end up with a team that better suits his skill set.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Morgan Moses
Morgan Moses had a solid 2021 season for the Jets at right tackle. He brought a respected veteran presence and showed toughness playing through injuries.
It had seemed as if Moses would be guaranteed to get a better opportunity to start elsewhere this offseason. However, with head coach Robert Saleh’s recent declaration that George Fant and Mekhi Becton will compete at left tackle along with some of the optimistic public comments Moses has made about the Jets’ future, it seems like he could be back.
The Jets will re-sign Moses to another one-year contract.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a one-year deal
Marcus Maye
Marcus Maye was a very good Jet over the last five years. However, with the drama surrounding his contract situation over the past year while he played on the franchise tag, it was made pretty clear that 2021 would be Maye’s last run with the Jets.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Jamison Crowder
Jamison Crowder was a great free agent signing for the Jets in 2019. He led the team in receptions in all three of his seasons as a Jet and also led in receiving yards in his first two years.
Last offseason, it became fairly evident that 2021 would be his final year as a Jet when a pay-cut came to fruition.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
As a mid-season trade acquisition prior to the deadline, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was a solid addition to the offensive line. He helped the run game immediately.
This free agency process for Duvernay-Tardif should be an interesting one. The main factor for Duvernay-Tardif will likely be whether he can find a guaranteed starting job somewhere.
In the end, the Jets will re-sign Duvernay-Tardif on a one-year contract as the projected starting right guard for 2022.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a one-year deal
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Dan Feeney
The Jets signed Dan Feeney in free agency ahead of the 2021 season. He did not play much, but when he did get an opportunity to start late in the season he fared relatively well for a backup.
Feeney is a durable player (he started 16 games for the Chargers every year from 2018-20) who can also play anywhere along the interior. He is a good depth player.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a one-year deal
Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco was brought back by the Jets during the 2021 season in a trade. In the one game he started against the Miami Dolphins, he played well, throwing for 291 yards and a 101.5 passer rating.
For Flacco, his best opportunity to play likely lies elsewhere. Mike White is a young player and will become a restricted free agent, so the Jets should be able to easily retain him as their backup quarterback.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Keelan Cole
The 2021 season for Keelan Cole was a frustrating one for the most part. He had a great opportunity to produce in the final five games of the season when the Jets were down Elijah Moore and Corey Davis. Unfortunately, he was not impactful.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Tevin Coleman
The Jets signed Tevin Coleman to a one-year deal last year. When he had opportunities during the season, the veteran proved he could still be a contributor, rushing for 4.2 yards per carry.
Coleman still provides speed and serviceable depth. It is also valuable for New York that he has worked in this offensive system for five of his seven NFL seasons.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a one-year deal
Tyler Kroft
Tyler Kroft was another free agency signing a year ago. Unfortunately, he battled injuries throughout the season (missing seven games) and was not productive when healthy (16 catches and one touchdown in nine games).
The Jets will likely acquire one tight end in free agency and probably another in the draft. The team also currently has young depth in Trevon Wesco and Kenny Yeboah.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Lamarcus Joyner
The Jets signed Lamarcus Joyner to be their starting free safety early in last year’s offseason. He tore his triceps in Week 1 after only playing nine snaps and missed the rest of the season.
This offseason, two new starters at safety will probably be acquired. The Jets also had three first and second-year players in Ashtyn Davis, Elijah Riley, and Jason Pinnock all take snaps down the stretch. They will likely round out the depth at safety.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Jarrad Davis
It was a disappointing season for Jarrad Davis. He battled injuries and could not help the defense when he was on the field.
The Jets will probably look to bring in someone new at linebacker to play next to C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Nathan Shepherd
Nathan Shepherd was one of the longer-tenured Jets last season as it was his fourth year with the team. He rarely made big plays to help the defensive line, recording zero sacks and zero tackles for loss over 17 games played (495 defensive snaps).
The Jets will aim to improve at this position.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Eddy Pineiro
The Jets signed Eddy Pineiro in December as a result of continued kicking struggles. Pineiro kicked well, going 8-for-8 on field goals and 9-for-10 on extra points. He’ll be back to compete.
Prediction: Re-signs with Jets on a one-year deal
Nick Bawden
The Jets signed Nick Bawden to the practice squad in late September. He ended up appearing in nine games but made a minimal impact. If the Jets want a fullback they will probably look elsewhere.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Will Parks
The Jets added Will Parks very late in the season as a result of many injuries at safety. As previously mentioned, the Jets have a handful of young players at the position and new players are likely to be brought in this offseason.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Conor McDermott
Conor McDermott has been with the Jets since 2019. His role has been as a reserve tackle, but he has struggled when asked to fill in and start. New York can find better depth at the tackle position.
Prediction: Will not be retained
Full list of predicted returnees
The six unrestricted free agents the Jets will keep are:
- Braxton Berrios
- Morgan Moses
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- Dan Feeney
- Tevin Coleman
- Eddy Pineiro
