Talking Compensation

Edition #357

Good morning! ☀️

We got an interesting report yesterday from Yahoo of all places. we’re going to take a good look at that today.

It was an interesting report as it mentioned the Jets holding out for protection against Aaron Rodgers retiring. In my prediction for compensation, I mentioned a 2025 pick that was conditional on Rodgers playing, but it sounds as though the Jets want a conditional pick coming back to New York if Rodgers decides to retire. Interesting thought and a smart move by Joe Douglas.

We’re going to start today off with a mock draft wrap-up. I know a lot of people don’t like mock drafts, but I always find it interesting to look at our perceived weaknesses.

🧐 CBS put out a 3-round mock draft on Monday. They had the Jets taking OT Broderick Jones at #13 overall out of Georgia, followed by TE Sam LaPorta out of Iowa and center John Michael Schmitz out of Minnesota. Two of those picks make complete sense and I’d love both, Sam LaPorta while a good player just doesn’t make sense. We already have a young TE who barely sees the field in Jeremy Ruckert, why would we bring in a 4th TE to compete for reps? I imagine that pick will be spent on a linebacker or defensive tackle, not seeing a defensive tackle there is a head-scratcher.

✍️ The Athletic put Anton Harrison in the hands of the Jets at pick #13 with their latest mock draft - “The tackle spots remain question marks. Harrison is athletic enough to slot in at either one. He is still raw as far as technique and strength, so there will be a learning curve. But he has a clear path to improve into a very good starting tackle in the NFL”

📈 PFF seemed to agree with CBS in terms of projecting Broderick Jones to the Jets saying: “Jones’ 85.4 pass-blocking grade in 2022 ranked ninth among FBS tackles, and his 1.4% pressure rate allowed tied for fifth. The redshirt sophomore still has room to grow, but he’s already a high-level pass protector on the outside.”

🤝 NFL.com also agreed, mocking Jones to the Jets saying: “Left tackle Duane Brown has one year left on his deal, but he'll turn 38 before the start of next season. The Jets need to get the tackle spot ironed out with Aaron Rodgers intending to play for them in 2023. Mekhi Becton would have his fifth-year option declined in this scenario.” 

1️⃣3️⃣ Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed that LA has an interest in bringing OBJ back for the 2023 season, but they appreciate there are a lot of teams interested. Giants coach Brian Daboll was also asked the same question but declined to comment saying that was a private matter between him and GM Joe Schoen. The Jets are obviously interested in bringing OBJ to the green side of NY.

🧀 Matt LaFleur met with the media yesterday and he didn’t really offer any insights into the Aaron Rodgers situation. He spoke glowingly about his time in Green Bay but it was pretty clear that everyone involved at Green Bay has turned the page on that era. Even more reason for the deal to get done sooner rather than later. He did have high praise for Jets coach Robert Saleh saying he probably isn’t where he is without him.

⛔ PFF released an article yesterday predicting each 5th-year option decision and unsurprisingly they had the Jets declining Becton’s. I wrote about this last week, but I don’t see any way the Jets pick up Becton’s option considering he’s missed two years in a row now.

🎗️⚫ Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell has a private workout/visit set with the Jets. O’Connell completed 66.7% of his passes over a 4-year career at Purdue with 65 touchdowns to 30 interceptions and just over 9000 passing yards. He’s a big guy at 6’3 and is a tough competitor. But he doesn’t have a great deal of mobility and a lot of draft analysts question his arm strength.

0️⃣ For all those jersey number nerds out there 😉 The NFL owners agreed to let players wear that number again, I don't believe it's been worn since Ken Burroughs of the Houston Oilers did so in the 70’s.

⛔ However the suggestion to make roughing the passer a reviewable penalty did not pass. The competition committee have always been against making judgement calls reviewable. If it's not going to be reviewable, then officials have to be more consistent in how they call it.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported the deal between the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets was likely to be centered on a pair of second-round draft picks, but he also mentioned one key aspect that may be holding things up.