Evaluate what the New York jets have done in a free agency and what moves might be left out

The first wave of the NFL free agency is over. While there are still a few big names on the board, it’s time for teams to retrain, reassess and see if any of the remaining players can fill some of their needs. .

And that brings us to the New York Jets, which have been very active throughout the first four days of an NFL free agency. Again, general manager Joe Douglas has suspended the blocking signing to support tactical moves. His report card finally didn’t look as good by the end of 2020, by his own admission.

As always, it’s too early to judge this year’s trends by the Jets. But it is possible to try to find out where these players fit into the new crime and defense schemes that have been introduced, both in terms of crime and defense. means to some owners and what trends may be on Douglas ’agenda. Also, what salary cap space will be left to implement these signs?

Cion. Douglas, new head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets have yet to make the choice of the 2021 starting quarterback, at least not in public. But that didn’t stop them from signing two unlicensed free receivers across the agent.

Tennessee Titan Corey Davis is the biggest name, written about more widely here. The 6-3, 205-pound Davis is expected to be a help in the passing games and runs because of his physicality. The deal is for three years and $ 27 million is guaranteed, per overthecap.com. Basically, like many such contracts, the third year off works almost as an option year for New York, which could cut Davis with just $ 666,668 of dead money and save a cap of $ 10.5 million.

On Thursday, the Jets added to their wide receiver group by reporting that they had signed Keelan Cole, formerly of Jacksonville. The fine print on the deal hasn’t come out yet, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a one-year, $ 5.5 million deal. Cole, who had 55 catches for an 11.7-yard average and five touchdowns last season, is an interesting build, as he can play both outside and in the slot. With Davis and Denzel Mims, a rising player in the second year, selected in the second round in 2020, already captured as outside catchers, Cole is both projecting as a No. 4 catcher. or as a potential substitute for a Jamison Crowder slot catcher if the Jets decide to move on.

Crowder is an excellent catcher, but has lost 11 games due to injury over the past three seasons, and the Jets saved $ 10.375 million against the cap by releasing him. It is possible that they could ask Crowder, in the final season of a three-year contract, to restructure. Signing Cole gives them the flexibility to negotiate with Crowder according to their terms.

The Jets also re-signed Vyncint Smith and Jeff Smith (unrelated), who were poised to become restricted and rights-free representatives, respectively. They’re likely to fight for a reserve roster spot, and both of them could get into the kick-back game, as could Cole, who had a 91-yard pound back for a goal around. last season.

Breshad Perriman, who missed four games last season due to various injuries, reportedly signed a one-year, $ 3 million contract with Detroit. JuJu Smith-Schuster is re-signing with Pittsburgh, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. There was speculation that the Jets could be interested in reuniting the free agent with his former USC team player, complex quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Jets also re-signed a restricted free agent running back Josh Adams. A 29-year-old averaged 5.4 yards on 29 carries last season, with his duties limited as coach Adam Gase then asked to feed the ball to the aging Frank Gore, which came to an average of 3.6.

Their offensive line was rated 29th by Pro Football Focus, but the Jets could not rest on one of the two most offensive linemen on the market, guard Joe Thuney and center Corey Linsley. Instead, on Thursday, they signed former Los Angeles Charger Dan Feeney. Per Over The Cap is a one-year contract for $ 3 million pledged, counting $ 3.5 million against the cap. But make no mistake, Feeney won’t be projecting as a starter, even though he played every knot for the Chargers last season after starting center Mike Pouncey lost for the season with hip injury.

Nonetheless, Feeney received a disappointing 48.2 rating from PFF. Feeney, who has also played guard and started 57 games in four seasons for the Chargers, is projecting as a swing backup. The Jets have already allowed Pat Elflein, who started the last six games of 2020 at left guard, to leave for Carolina through a free agency. The deal with Feeney is likely to mean UFA backup Josh Andrews will not be reinstated by New York.

The market for free-range guards has thinned out. If the Jets didn’t allow Feeney to compete badly with left-back Alex Lewis, who sat out the last six games of last season after a controversy with Gase, or right-back Greg Van Roten , it seems they had to find a new guard through trade or in the draft.

Protection. The biggest shower the Jets have made so far on this side of the ball is signing Carl Lawson at the Cincinnati 4-3 end, a fringe rush that the Jets hope will add a little punch to the permanent pass rush. aca. Lawson ‘s contract, All Over The Cap, demands $ 30 million in full pledges, all but $ 333,333 of it in the first two years of the contract. The Jets also signed midfielder Jarrad Davis to a one-year, $ 5.5 million contract, and that was all a full bet.

More on these signs here.

When Lawson arrived Tarell took out Basham, who signed for Dallas.

The Jets also parted ways with Henry Anderson’s defenses, poor position in the 4-3. He signed with New England, who used a 3-4 scheme.

On Thursday, the Jets reportedly signed LaMarcus Joyner, a Las Vegas Raider defender, who had been unhappy as a slot backup with that AFC West team but is projecting as a safety in the world. Saleh system and new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. That’s interesting because the Jets already have Marcus Maye, to whom they picked up a franchise last week, and the third round of 2020 selects Ashtyn Davis.

With Maye and Joyner both sticking out as free safeties, the Davis Jets, who would often struggle in coverage, may have been able to move to strong safety. The Jets and Maye have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement, a process that could be complicated by Denver’s Justin Simmons, who had just been voted for a second year. in a row with the team, signed a four-year contract Friday with the Broncos. The contract is worth $ 61 million over four years with $ 35 million pledged, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That certainly makes things difficult for the Jets with Maye, as it makes Simmons the highest paid safety in the league in terms of a year average.

On special teams, the Jets signed striker Justin Hardee, who helped New Orleans score just 2.3 yards per pound last season. Hardee will make $ 1 million in guaranteed cash, all ahead this year. Adding to it is a sign that Douglas and special team coordinator Brant Boyer, now retained by two new coaching regimes, believe in the 2020 2020 sixth-round pick, Braden Mann. Mann averaged 43.9 yards full, but just 37.2 nets, the second-lowest level among deserving punters. Mann would often take out his broadcast and twice had to make a touchdown save himself. Hardee should mean Mann’s support skills don’t come in as often.

So what could come? Neville Hewitt, an inside linebacker, was the Jets ’main fan last season, but he didn’t make many influential plays. In 2020, the Jets used both 3-4 and 4-3 shapes, although the 4-3 were more common. But since they only change to 4-3, there is less need for line-backs, and Hewitt is not very appropriate on the outside.

Brian Poole slot backup still anonymous. Poole has been effective in two seasons with the Jets, both on one-year contracts, but has lost nine games due to injuries the past two seasons. However, a lot of slot corners have come off the table. Still available is San Francisco’s K’Waun Williams, who would provide a benefit for helping his new teammates learn the system.

Excluding Cole and Joyner ‘s contracts, the Jets have just over $ 34 million in place of remaining caps. Remember, that money will also be used to pay for their draft.

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