Jets Sign Leki Fotu on Day Two of NFL Free Agency

Edition #591

Good morning!

The Jets signed a rotational defensive tackle and that’s it on day two of NFL free agency. So far we’ve signed more defensive players than offensive players and I can understand why that’s extremely concerning for many. Free Agency is still young, and there are still a lot of good players on the board, but I can’t say I have a ton of confidence in Joe Douglas or this front office to get it right.

We’re going to keep it quick today, as my hope is that we have much more to talk about tomorrow. Once free agency is done we’ll start with our deep dives on each of the new players.

• The deal for ex-Cardinals DT is for one year and $2.5 million. I have no problem with this signing, he’s a good rotational piece on the defensive line and we needed bodies inside. He’s a big unit and was predominantly used on first and second down, he did generate 7 pressures and 3 sacks on just 133 pass-rush snaps. PFF grades are hard to trust, but he’s never been rated highly as a run defender, his highest grade against the run was 40.7 which he achieved last year. Again, a solid signing but he’s not going to move the needle for the Jets, and he’s certainly not going to help us score points.

• Aaron Rodgers is apparently top of the list to be the running mate for Robert F Kennedy Jr presidential bid as an independent. I’m not sure how it would be possible for Rodgers to do that and play football, but apparently, Rodgers welcomes the overtures from the presidential candidate. Considering he spoke at length about eliminating distractions and focusing on football and the team goals, he’s certainly introducing a lot of distractions. We’ll let this one run its course and I’ll be surprised if anything comes of it, but it’s just one big distraction at the moment

• According to reports, the Jets signed former #49ers DT Javon Kinlaw to a 1-year, $7.25M deal with $6.9M guaranteed. Now call me crazy, but I actually think that’s a lot for a guy who while improved last year, has had a very disappointing career to date. For some context, the Jets paid Solomon Thomas and Quinton Jefferson a combined $5.9 million last year. I like the potential of Kinlaw, but I would say that his signing means Quinton Jefferson won’t be back.

• Sauce Gardner was on The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark and he had this to say about Mecole Hardman and his criticism of the Jets: "When I met Mecole ... the first thing I thought is he talks a lot." "He never earned his stripes. He came into the (#Jets) facility and just thought he had it made. If you know what it takes to win, you're not going to go to practice and drop punts and then have excuses as to why you dropped them. You're not going to go in a special teams meeting and get cussed out by a special teams coordinator. Certain things are not going to happen if you know what it takes to win."

Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 240 overall) from the Steelers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and 2024 sixth-round selection (No. 178 overall). Johnson was a name I thought the Jets may consider when it was rumoured he was on the block. According to Connor Hughes, the Jets were never in on him.

Danielle Hunter agreed to terms on a two-year $49M contract with the Houston Texans.

Here is a short list of some of the players who remain free agents who could help the Jets:

Tyron Smith - Do whatever it takes to get this man in the building.
Calvin Ridley - Think he’ll be too much, but at this point, I don’t mind.
Marquise Brown - Deep threat would be attractive in this offence
Trent Brown - He’s a good tackle when healthy.
Jonah Williams - Not a guy I’d love, but at least he can play both tackle spots.
Kevin Zeitler - Veteran presence would be welcome on that line
Tyler Boyd - One of the more underrated receivers left on the board IMO
Josh Jones - If you want to bet on a tackle with potential, he’s an option
Dalton Risner - Still a productive player who continues to be undervalued