The Unsigned

Edition #613

Good morning ☕

Aaron Rodgers has fallen back in love with football, and that’s a scary proposition for every single defensive coordinator in the league…as long as the Jets can keep him healthy. We’ve got a few more visits lined up and Mel Kiper jumps on the Brock Bowers to New York bandwagon.

Tomorrow we're going to compare the offensive tackles like we did the wide receivers earlier this week. So let me know if there any any guys in particular you want to see on the list.

We spoke about him this week and now the Jets are bringing him in for an official Top 30 visit. Tulane QB Michael Pratt is heading to NJ for an official this week, as is Samford quarterback Michael Hiers. I’d be amazed if the Jets don’t take a QB in this draft, I’ve thrown my weight behind Pratt already, and I’m still carrying a few holiday pounds.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper released his latest mock draft and had the Jets taking…you guessed it, Brock Bowers. “This is really the first logical match I see for Bowers, the two-time Mackey Award winner who is head and shoulders above the other tight ends in this class. If the Jets are all-in around quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season, taking Bowers would give them the best chance to make a playoff run. They brought in left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Morgan Moses last month, which lessens the need for an immediate starter at tackle. This just makes sense.”

Aaron Rodgers was recently on the ‘icanflypod’ and he spoke about his trade to the Jets saying: My time in Green Bay was up. And I did Ayahuasca. And then a week later, I got traded to the Jets and I have this incredible offseason experience in a new city and a new town with new teammates and a new organization and owner for the first time and really falling back in love with a game that I first fell in love with when I was five years old. And it was absolutely beautiful and special and deep and rich and yummy and just incredible.”

On the theme of today’s newsletter, Carl Lawson reportedly had a free agent visit with the Miami Dolphins this week. Lawson injured his back last summer and never recovered, he was largely removed from the DE rotation and was even a healthy scratch at points. He played just 101 defensive snaps and failed to record a sack for the first time in his career.

🟢⚪ As of today, there are 16 players who played for the Jets last year who remain unsigned. Which probably is a damning indictment of the roster construction we attempted.

Roster construction happens throughout the off-season. The big boys get signed straight away, but a lot of free agents don’t find a new home until well into the off-season, some have to wait until the injury bug starts hitting weeks into training camp.

Of all the free agents the Jets had, only 6 have been snapped up by opposing teams.

Bryce Huff signed with the Eagles, Jordan Whitehead and Bryce Hall signed with Tampa, Quinton Jefferson and Justin Hardee went to the Browns and for some reason, the Bears signed Brett Rypien.

This leaves a number of players who are still available, and there’s something to be said for adding a few of these guys back to the roster when the time is right.

Here is where I see the remaining unsigned Jets…