The New York Jets have two primary needs this offseason, and addressing them may be challenging
The New York Jets have two main needs this offseason, and Joe Douglas’ track record in filling both of them is — highly suspect, to say the least.
The team’s offensive line struggles have been well-documented, specifically at tackle and left guard. Meanwhile, they failed to acquire a No. 2 receiver this offseason. They have consistently fielded an underachieving pass-catching unit even with Garrett Wilson‘s back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to start his career. Perhaps the fact that Douglas drafted Wilson at No. 10 overall gives some hope that he can identify talent at the position. On the other hand, Denzel Mims and Elijah Moore flamed out in New York.
The Jets’ first-round pick (assuming they still have it) will likely be used for one of those positions. Which one, though? How should the Jets address their primary needs this offseason?
Free agency
The Jets’ primary problem is that there are no top offensive tackles available on the free-agent market. Jonah Williams is the top name available after posting a strong 2023 season with Cincinnati, but he underachieved in his previous four seasons. Names like Donovan Smith, Trent Brown, Isaiah Wynn, and Alaric Jackson certainly shouldn’t excite anyone.
The big name worth a look is Tyron Smith, but he has missed five games due to injury and will be entering his age-34 season. Smith has just a 3.6% pressure rate, which would be excellent for the Jets to acquire, but there’s a high risk factor there.
Other than that, the Jets’ best bet is to sign two veterans to one-year deals to plug the gaps. George Fant has had a solid bounce-back year with the Texans, and the Jets should try to sign him unless his relationship with them is permanently severed. Jermaine Eluemunor of the Raiders is another name to keep an eye on, as his 4.9% pressure rate is solid. Both of these players should be available for one year at a reasonable price.
If the team chooses to replace Laken Tomlinson, a few available guards may be more cost-effective and effective players. John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, and Mike Onwenu (as a guard) are among the best options. Connor Williams and Robert Hunt of the Dolphins are also available, but both are coming off season-ending injuries and could still command too much money.
The Jets should not be as concerned with players who fit the zone scheme as finding good players. They’ve placed too much emphasis on supposed zone capability to little avail. (Furthermore, there is evidence that duo and gap schemes are more effective than zone, but that’s a separate discussion.)
Meanwhile, at receiver, there are three top names available on the market: Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, and Mike Evans. Pittman is unlikely to hit the open market, and Higgins isn’t that much more likely. Both will probably receive the franchise tag. Evans will take some wooing away from Tampa, where he reportedly enjoys playing.
Still, No. 2 receiver is clearly the ideal spot to fill on the free agent market if possible.
Trades
The Jets could be looking at a classic principal-agent problem when it comes to the trade market. Douglas is working for his job this offseason and will likely go all-out to build a 2024 winner rather than a sustainable product. Therefore, there is a reasonable chance he will sacrifice 2025 assets to acquire a difference-maker in 2024.
The primary target of that is, of course, Davante Adams. Reports indicated the Jets tried to acquire him at the trade deadline and will pursue him in the offseason. However, the Jets are already down a second-round pick in 2024. How much more capital can they afford to give up for a 31-year-old receiver?
Adams’ contract is not team-friendly, but in a trade scenario, it could include no guaranteed money after 2024. Still, Douglas is more likely than not to restructure the deal, thereby pushing the guaranteed money further into the future and hurting the team’s cap situation beyond 2024.
Draft
The Jets could choose to sign three mid-level offensive linemen and address the receiver position with their first-round pick. There may be a top receiver option available with the No. 8 pick, which is their current slot.
Still, in my opinion, the Jets should fill the No. 2 receiver spot via free agency or trade and pick a first-round tackle. This should not prohibit them from signing two mid-tier tackles to push the rookie for a starting spot and provide depth in case of injury.
My main reasoning for this choice is simply the dearth of options available at tackle. Perhaps they can sign Tyron Smith to a shorter-term deal at a reasonable price, but Smith has had consistent injury issues. The other top options would likely be Tomlinson-esque investments.
Meanwhile, Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt may be off the board by the time the Jets pick, but maybe they won’t be. J.C. Latham is another highly-touted tackle prospect. Between Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Brock Bowers, and Malik Nabers, one of those tackles would likely be available at the No. 8 spot.
Perhaps the Jets decide to sign two mid-tier tackles and still pick a No. 2 receiver if available. I would be okay with that decision as a short-term move, but I believe it would be short-sighted. It is also far easier to find receiver value in the mid-to-late rounds than it is at tackle. The Jets could draft a high-upside receiver in the fourth round and use that player as a fourth receiver.
What do you think, Jets fans? What should the team’s priority be in free agency vs. the draft?
I think if one of the top tackles is there, they take him, but if not, they trade back to acquire more picks, which they could use. How does the draft look for Centers and Guards? I’d consider moving Tippman to Guard and getting a new Center. I’d also consider moving AVT to Tackle if we can get a replacement Guard. If we go AVT/Tippman/draft C/draft G/Warren we might not be in bad shape. With more picks we can either make moves for players we like in the draft, or simply get more lottery tickets.
Rivka- great article- this draft OL would like to see at least 1 top tier guy picked and especially someone with a little attitude who doesn’t accept being beat as normal- as it seems many of the Jets do- true, having so many combo’s is tough- but some of that is lack of heart- you need AVT/Tippman/ and 1st round pick/ and draft 2-3 more in the later rounds- grab another WR 2/3. Seems like the OL signed in free agency chronically underperform. Don’t know why- cashing the check mentality- but they haven’t panned out- draft is alway 50/50 even with all the research they do- need a couple draft selections/undrafted players in camp to get the couple you need.
I am not optimistic about next year especially with Douglas and Saleh running the show.
I think they will fill quite a few positions with “mid-tier” players leaving them some flexibility in the draft. I’m torn, I love Odunze, and think he’d be a perfect complement for Garrett, I’m not high on the Adams move. But…I think they draft an OT. It has to be done, it’s that simple. The single biggest problem with this team over the past several years is, by year’s end they are trotting out practice squad players on the OL.
The fact is NO team has had as many OL injuries as the Jets, and NO team has started as many OL combinations. It’s been proven, everybody on the offense gets better with a good OL. Depending on what the talent differential between someone like Alt, or Latham is and the guys they can get later in the first round, a trade back might be in play.
The thing about the 2 position groups the Jets “need” (OL and WR) is they SHOULD be able to find good to high level starters in rounds 2 and 3. Tippmann could be a player like that, and the need to find more.