Are the Jets done in Free Agency?

I firmly believe the answer is no.

If you’re a baseball fan the start of Spring Training games would have brought some happiness this weekend, if you’re a basketball fan then March Madness and the dodgy officiating will have delighted and confounded you, and if you’re a football fan…you’ll be counting down the days to the draft.

After the free agency frenzy last week, the moves have stalled. We’re getting a few minor moves here and there, and obviously, the Deshaun Watson news dominated the airwaves last week. La’el Collins has signed with the Bengals, a great move for him, and Joe Burrow and Herbert got himself another weapon in the form of Gerald Everett.

But have the Jets finished? It’s all quiet for Gang Green at the moment.

We know a couple of things about Joe Douglas, he won’t overpay and he’s patient. Right now the dominoes are falling around the league and the prices for 2nd and 3rd tier free agents are being set.

Last year the Jets didn’t sign Vinny Curry until the 24th of March, and they signed Tevin Coleman two days later on the 26th.

I don’t think the Jets are done, I think the Jets are just waiting to find value adds later in free agency. So…who are we talking about? Let’s take a look.

Offensive Line

There is a glaring hole for the Jets at the moment and that’s a swing tackle. I’d be surprised if the Jets were happy going into the season with Chuma Edoga and Connor McDermott as their backup tackle options…especially considering Becton is coming off a season-ending injury.

If the Jets manage to stay healthy, I firmly believe that the combination of Fant and Becton gives the Jets a chance to have one of the better tackle duos in football, but that’s a big “if”.

So who’s still available? You’ll want someone in the same mold as Morgan Moses. Someone who will be happy to play back-up and wait for their opportunity.

Duane Brown - Started at left tackle for the Seahawks last year but had one of the worst seasons of his career. He’s 37 now so on the serious decline, but he was still dependable last year. He’s never played RT but he has over 13,000 snaps at LT. He would be a good veteran add, but may command more money than the Jets are willing to part with.

Trent Brown - He’s a very good tackle when he’s healthy and motivated and I’m surprised the Patriots haven’t already brought him back. He’s played both left tackle and right tackle, and when he’s played he’s been very good. He’s a bit of a health risk but he could be a very good value add who would be a dependable starter.

Eric Fisher - Fisher came back from a torn Achilles in the 2020-21 AFC Championship game and then signed with the Colts after getting released by the Chiefs. He didn’t have his best season in Indianapolis but he has experience playing both LT and RT, and he’ll be another year removed from his injury.

Riley Reiff - Riley has just turned 33 and has experience on both sides of the line. He didn’t have a great year in 2021 but he was still serviceable and has a history of dependable play. At this point in his career, he would be a good backup tackle for any team.

Wide Receiver

The Jets will add another receiver at some point. I am absolutely certain about that, I’m just not sure who it’ll be. But here are some options for receivers that are still available.

Odell Beckham Jr - Odds are he’ll head back to LA to rehab his injury, and he doesn’t strike me as a Joe Douglas type of signing…but players like him don’t become available very often. I’ve heard numerous people ask this question…I don’t see it, but it would be damn exciting.

Jarvis Landry - Another player I don’t really see, but Landry is a career 50%+ contested catcher and his drop rate is minimal at 5.4% over 8 years in the league. He works predominantly from the slot (around 60%) but can work out wide as well.

Will Fuller - Injuries limited Fuller to just 65 snaps in 2021, add that to a PED suspension and Fuller isn’t overly appealing to a team trying to establish a certain identity. On the field he’s a good deep threat, his 14.7 yards per reception career average indicate what he can work inside and out.

Julio Jones - Is there any magic left in Julio? Jones was once one of the best receivers in football and still caught 31 passes in Tennessee last year. However, he’s now 33 and very few receivers get more reliable as they age, a few years ago I would have jumped at the opportunity to add Jones, but I think that ship has sailed.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling - The Jets apparently aren’t a serious player for MVS but that doesn’t stop me from wanting him. I think he’s the perfect fit for the Jets to offer something slightly different in the passing game. MVS had 0 drops last season and averaged 16.5 yards per reception, if you want someone to take the top off the defense to open up the underneath routes, then MVS is a guy you should be looking at.

Jamison Crowder/Keelan Cole - Both former Jets are still available, and the longer they’re available the lower the price. Both could be valuable assets for the Jets if used as 4th and 5th receivers. The Jets are looking at Braxton as the starting slot receiver and have Corey Davis and Elijah Moore outside, chances are they’ll be joined by a high draft pick which means one of these guys would be coming in as WR5…and I’m perfectly comfortable with that.

There are a number of other players at different positions who are still available, there are edge guys like Za’Darius Smith, Melvin Ingram, Jerry Hughes, Justin Houston etc Not all scheme fits, but it shows there are really good players out there.