Laken Tomlinson agrees to free-agent deal with New York Jets
Joe Douglas and the New York Jets are on the board.
Former San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Laken Tomlinson (pronounced LAKE-en) has agreed to join New York on a three-year, $40 million deal with $27 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $41.2 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Jets are signing G Laken Tomlinson to a 3 year deal worth $40M, Max Value of $41.2M, $27M Guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
Tomlinson, who just turned 30 in February, is a reigning Pro Bowl guard who has never missed in a game in his career due to injury since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Tomlinson had a shaky first two years with the Lions before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he played on the same offense that featured current Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as its passing game coordinator.
In San Francisco, Tomlinson resurrected his career.
Tomlinson started every game at left guard for the 49ers from Week 2 of 2017 through the 2021 NFC Championship Game. He became one of the best zone-blocking offensive guards in the NFL and complemented his run-blocking abilities with solid pass protection.
Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports that the Jets expect Tomlinson to move over to the right guard position in their offense.
While Laken Tomlinson played left guard in San Francisco, he’s more than capable of flipping sides. There is no worry from the #Jets there.
Sources say he will play RG with Jets. Alijah Vera-Tucker isn’t moving.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 14, 2022
Tomlinson started one game at right guard for the Lions in Week 6 of the 2016 season, but every other start of his career came on the left side. Hughes’ report indicates that the Jets have “no worry” about Tomlinson’s ability to switch sides.
With the addition of Tomlinson, the Jets’ projected starting offensive line now appears as follows:
- LT: Mekhi Becton/George Fant
- LG: Alijah Vera-Tucker
- C: Connor McGovern
- RG: Laken Tomlinson
- RT: Mekhi Becton/George Fant
Featuring two first-round picks and three high-priced veteran free-agent acquisitions who have proven to be top-half starters at their respective positions, the Jets have built an offensive line that has a very exciting ceiling.
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There is joy in Jet land! I can’t imagine how happy Zach is today. What a line! Let’s draft Zion in the second round now. He is a great kid. Hopefully we can get Mc Bride in the second too. Lets get a WR with 10 and hopefully trade down with the fourth.
Michael Nania, what is your take on a free agent running back?
I like the idea of a free agent RB, I brought up Malcolm Brown recently, he’s a short-yardage thumper and good pass protector. Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida are out there to bring the home-run element they lack in addition to SF scheme familiarity.
Where did you rate Tomlinson against the other guards available in FA?
I just heard the podcast – you had Tomlinson and Daniels in tier 1. I tend to lean towards younger players in FA although there’s been some suggestion that the Jets may go for older leadership types this time so Tomlinson makes sense in that respect. I don’t know what kind of leadership skills he brings though.
Well, this is the guy we wanted. It allows the Jets to look at other positions with pick 4 or trade it. They could still draft an OL at some point, or maybe trade back in for someone like Linderbaum if they feel he’s “the guy” at Center. Would still like that WR with their 1st or 2nd pick.
Yep. A move that gives them much more flexibility in the draft and prevents them from having to force an OL pick
I preferred James Daniels but still happy. He was my second choice, but glad we got one of the two. Be interested to see what he signs for.
Experience in the system and both LaFleur & Benton Know him. McGovern is now surrounded by two good Offensive Guards
I know nothing of course but I have a sense they are trying to move on from McGovern.
Possibly, Bozeman is still out there. McGovern has no guaranteed money left, Douglas May want long term consistency on this line for Zach. Connor needs to restructure and extend or he will be replaced