Introducing Chandler Zavala

Edition #369

Good morning! ☀️

"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself" - That’s a line from Harry Potter, and while I’m somewhat of a Potter fan, I’m married to a Potter nerd. Hearing Aaron Rodgers's name actually strikes fear into me at the moment, fear that I’m going to have to read yet another absurd take on compensation, or the same points said a different way on leverage or something about healing crystals.

I tweeted yesterday “Can we just block out everything Aaron Rodgers related until day two of the draft? Between now and either the trade getting done or us reaching that date, there is really nothing left to say.” If only it was that easy.

What we’re going to do, is continue our draft coverage. We’re a little behind this year because of all the drama with the QB who’s not to be named, today we’re turning our attention to an offensive guard who’s already held a private visit with the Jets.

✂️ According to Adam Schefter the Jets are releasing punter Braden Mann after failing to find a trade partner for the former Texas A&M player. Mann has been wildly inconsistent and his propensity for a shanked punt or two makes him unreliable. He's got a big leg, and I'm sure he'll catch on somewhere in a punt competition. As soon as the Jets signed Thomas Morstead, you knew this was the likely outcome. The move will save the Jets just over $1 million on the cap this year. Mann will be remembered for his tackle in the Rams game which cost the Jets Trevor Lawrence.

2️⃣ John Beck was on the Rich Eisen show talking about Zach Wilson yesterday. You’ll remember that QB coach Beck was brought in by the Jets in 2021 to help Wilson, and he’s previously coached Wilson at his QB camp. He spoke about Wilson needing to take some responsibility for what’s gone wrong, he also said that having that NY focus shift to Rodgers will help Wilson just go to work on his issues. One thing is clear, Beck still has a lot of faith in Wilson “Zach’s extremely talented. He’s very passionate. Those things will never change about the kid. I love the way he works,” Beck said. “I believe in that dude a lot and I think that there are good things in store for him.”

🤔 Mike Greenberg was on the Pat McAfee show and he said the following: "I've heard that Aaron has sent signals to the Jets that there is no reason for them to rush, that he's not coming until May anyway. So, they're not missing out on anything right now. So, they should hold out as long as it takes and that ultimately, they won't wind up having to trade the 13th pick in the draft, which is what I think this ultimately comes down to," With the greatest respect to Mike, whether Aaron arrives in May or shows up the day after the trade, I can’t imagine the Jets even entertaining sending the #13 pick this year.

🔵 According to Zack Rosenblatt of the Athletic, the Jets are interested in signing former Titans RB Dontrell Hilliard: “Hilliard fits the bill. I’ve heard the Jets have expressed interest in Hilliard, but teams are waiting for the 28-year-old to receive medical clearance after he suffered a neck injury late last season. Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing coached Hilliard with the Titans. He’s an above-average pass catcher with 4.42 speed (in the 40-yard dash) and he averaged 6.3 yards per carry in Tennessee the last two years.”

🧱 Chandler Zavala allowed 0 sacks and just 8 pressures across 615 pass-blocking snaps after transferring to NC State at the start of the 2021 season. Surprisingly that wasn’t enough to earn him an invitation to the scouting combine in Indianapolis, if he couldn’t go to where the scouts were, he’d make them come to him, and plenty have.