Who can fill the New York Jets’ right guard position?
The New York Jets offensive line has made some steady progress the last two years. Heading into 2022, the unit has four out of its five spots filled with an expected starter under contract.
Starting on the outside, George Fant and Mekhi Becton are set to be the two tackles. Who starts on which side will be determined during training camp. On the inside, Alijah Vera-Tucker is locked in at left guard while Connor McGovern should be back at center.
Overall, the group is solid. Adding a quality starter at right guard is the next step for the unit to reach a new level.
In the draft, there are three top-tier offensive line prospects who could be in play for the Jets in the first round with either of their two selections (No. 4 and No. 10). On the pro side, there will be multiple options for the Jets in free agency if they choose that route.
Let’s take a look at the 10 best right guards for the Jets will be between the expected free-agent market and the 2022 NFL draft.
10. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, New York Jets
The Jets’ own right guard to wrap up the 2021 season, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, is slated to hit the market. Bringing back Duvernay-Tardif could be a smart move for a few key reasons.
Duvernay-Tardif is a capable veteran who now has experience in the system. He provided an instant boost to the running game when he entered the starting lineup in Week 11.
Re-signing Duvernay-Tardif to a shorter-term deal does not rule out the possibility of drafting a long-term answer if the opportunity presents itself. Ideally, he could provide stellar guard depth.
9. Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Connor Williams is one of the more polarizing players currently set to hit the unrestricted free-agent market.
Williams provides plenty of starting experience. Throughout his four-year career, he has appeared in 57 games and has 51 starts (3,510 total snaps). In 2021, he only allowed one sack which helped him earn a 76.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (ranking 9th-best out of 70 qualified guards).
However, Williams has a tendency to commit too many penalties. He has a total of 30 in his career (7.5 per season) and recorded a career-high of 14 last season. No player in the NFL had more (regardless of position).
He is an inconsistent player but will only be turning 25 in May. Williams could improve in a better situation.
8. Austin Corbett, Los Angeles Rams
Austin Corbett is arguably the most underrated option on this list.
Corbett started all 39 regular season and playoff games for the Rams over the last two seasons. Corbett played 100% of the team’s snaps in 2020 (1,119) and 99% in 2021 (1,080). Availability is a huge bonus when it comes to Corbett.
The Nevada product plays in an offensive scheme that is similar to what the Jets run under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Over the last two seasons, Corbett has allowed only four sacks and committed only seven penalties (two in 2021).
Corbett earned an overall PFF grade of 68.8 for the year, placing him 25th out of 70 qualified guards. Set to turn 27 in September, he would be a savvy addition to the offensive line.
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7. Brandon Scherff, Washington Commanders
Since the last year he played on his rookie contract in 2019, Brandon Scherff has been a player Jets fans have linked to the team in one offseason after the next. He was franchise-tagged in both 2020 and 2021. Finally, he appears set to hit the open market.
The seven-year veteran has started all 89 games he has played in the league (5,681 snaps). Unfortunately, in every season since 2018, he has missed at least three games. In 2021, he played 11 games.
Scherff committed five penalties last year. He earned an overall grade of 73.6 at PFF, ranking 14th out of 70 qualifiers. Scherff did not allow a sack on the year.
Scherff will turn 31 in December. With his age and durability concerns, it will be interesting to see if Jets general manager Joe Douglas shows interest in Scherff.
6. Laken Tomlinson, San Francisco 49ers
Laken Tomlinson just had possibly the best year of his career. He did it in essentially the same offensive scheme the Jets run which would make the transition a seamless one. Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur shared four years in San Francisco with Tomlinson (2017-20).
Tomlinson was acquired by the 49ers in 2017. Over the last five years, he only missed one start, which was in his first season with the team. He’s played in 86 consecutive regular season and playoff games, and would provide the Jets with great week-to-week reliability with his availability.
PFF assigned Tomlinson with a 75.9 overall grade for the 2021 campaign, ranking 10th out of 70 qualified guards. He was great in pass protection, only allowing two sacks.
Tomlinson is entering his eighth season and just turned 30. He is on the older side but would still be an upgrade for the Jets, all while offering scheme familiarity and excellent durability.
5. James Daniels, Chicago Bears
James Daniels just had his best season with the Bears.
After a season-ending pectoral injury in 2020, Daniels started all 17 games for the Bears in 2021 (1,122 snaps).
Daniels got a 71.0 grade from PFF in 2021, placing 19th out of 70 qualifiers. He only allowed three sacks. On the other hand, he committed nine penalties. Daniels is still very young and offers excellent athleticism, giving him the upside to improve.
In September, Daniels will only be turning 25. He is a talented player who should continue to grow. It will be intriguing to see if the Jets show interest in Daniels.
4. Alex Cappa, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The best out of all the free agents on the list, Alex Cappa has been a three-year starter for the Buccaneers (46 career starts). Cappa has played 100% of the team’s snaps in each of the last two years (2,253 total snaps).
Cappa earned a PFF grade of 74.2 in 2021, settling in at 12th out of 70 qualifiers. He allowed five sacks but it’s worth noting that he played the third-most pass-blocking snaps of any guard (796) and only committed one penalty the entire year.
The penalty amount is not a fluke, either. In 2020, he only had one penalty as well. Cappa would bring great discipline to the Jets offensive line.
Cappa recently turned 27 and is likely just hitting his prime. He would be a fantastic signing for the Jets.
3. Zion Johnson, Boston College
After seven veterans to start, the top of this list is rounded out by the youth that is entering the upcoming draft.
Zion Johnson is an exciting prospect that just had a great week at the Senior Bowl. After transferring from Davidson to Boston College in 2019, he went on to play in 36 games over the last three seasons (2,288 snaps).
Last year, Johnson earned a PFF grade of 84.4. As a pass blocker, he made a ton of progress. From 2020 to 2021, his total number of hurries allowed decreased drastically from 14 to three. His total of QB hits allowed dropped from six to two and his total of sacks allowed also went down from two to one.
Johnson was a team captain at Boston College. His stock has increased greatly over the last month. If the Jets trade down from the 10th pick, Johnson could be a top option in the middle of the first round.
2. Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green is a talented offensive lineman with versatility. Green started all 35 games he played in at Texas A&M over the last three years. He was a captain for his team last season.
Green was a successful blocker for Texas A&M wherever he lined up. Over his three years with the Aggies, he played 1,098 snaps at left guard, 853 snaps at right guard, 142 snaps at right tackle, 81 snaps at left tackle, and even one snap at center.
The two-time consensus All-American possesses a great anchor as a pass blocker. He has a good overall frame for a right guard (6-foot-4, 325 pounds). To go along with his size and strength, Green is a good athlete who would fit the Jets’ zone running scheme.
Green will only be turning 21 in March. He is a relatively safe prospect who could be an option at 10 but is more likely to be in play for the Jets with a trade down from the 10th pick.
1. Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State
In my article looking at EDGE targets, I highlighted Oregon prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux as the Jets’ best option not only at his position but in the entire draft. After him, North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu is the second-best potential prospect for the Jets to select with the fourth overall pick in the draft.
Ekwonu is a physical player who brings a mauling presence in the running game. For someone as big and strong as he is, Ekwonu possesses athleticism that allows him to be successful as a pass blocker. Ekwonu can also move in space and be successful. He would fit well in the Jets’ offensive scheme.
With Fant and Becton as the two tackles, Ekwonu – who mostly played left tackle in his Wolfpack career – could fit in perfectly at right guard. Ekwonu does possess the versatility to play inside as he logged 239 snaps at left guard in 2020.
The Jets will likely have to take Ekwonu at No. 4 in order to land him.
Honorable Mentions
Projected Unrestricted Free Agents
- Trai Turner, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Andrew Norwell, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mark Glowinski, Indianapolis Colts
Draft Prospects
- Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
- Sean Rhyan, UCLA
- Tyler Smith, Tulsa
What to expect
The Jets are in a great spot to add the final starter to their offensive line.
Anticipate Duvernay-Tardif being re-signed to a one-year deal. Then, in the draft, if Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson are selected in the top-three, Ekwonu would likely be the pick at four.
If the Jets end up selecting Thibodeaux or Hutchinson with the fourth pick, Green and Johnson would be in play for the Jets whenever they make their second first-round selection.
