The New York Jets have always been intent on winning the back page, which often includes lavish (and later regrettable) spending. While the Jets still spent a bit this offseason, the organization’s new-ish regime (led by fourth-year GM Joe Douglas and second-year head coach Robert Saleh) seems to be operating under a more disciplined, focused approach, with a particular emphasis on building from within. To that, the Jets did an admirable job filling a handful of holes through the draft, especially via three first-round picks and one early second-round pick.
The Jets deserve props for adding both foundational and short-term pieces that addressed some clear needs. While they don’t have much room to fall following a four-win campaign in 2021, it remains to be seen if these offseason moves will be enough to get the Jets to a respectable record…and (perhaps) their first playoff appearance since the 2010 season.
Notable signings:
- Laken Tomlinson, OL. Three years, $40MM. $27MM guaranteed.
- Duane Brown, OT. Two years, $22MM.
- C.J. Uzomah, TE. Three years, $24MM.
- Tyler Conklin, TE. Three years, $21MM.
- D.J. Reed, CB. Three years, $33MM. $21MM guaranteed.
- Jordan Whitehead, S. Two years, $14.5MM.
- Marcell Harris, LB/S. One year, $1.2MM.
- Kwon Alexander, LB. One year, $1.2MM.
- Jacob Martin, LB. Three years, $13.5MM. $6MM guaranteed.
- Solomon Thomas, DE. One year, $2.25MM.
- Greg Zuerlein, K. One year, $2.75MM.
The Jets offensive line actually showed plenty of improvement during the 2021 season, but other than former first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker, questions remain. George Fant and Connor McGovern are both getting up there in age and only have a year remaining on their contracts. Morgan Moses left in free agency, while the embattled Mekhi Becton first lost out on the LT competition before being ruled out for the season.
To help shore up the unit in both the short- and long-term, the Jets brought in Laken Tomlinson. A former first-round pick by the Lions, Tomlinson found a home in San Francisco between the 2017 and 2021 seasons, including a 2021 campaign where he earned his first career Pro Bowl selection. He ended up ranking 13th among 82 eligible guard candidates via Pro Football Focus, and based on his track record, there’s no reason to think he’ll fall out of the top-15 guards in 2022.
Following Becton’s season-ending knee injury, the Jets brought in Duane Brown to start at left tackle. While Fant initially claimed the LT gig, it sounds like…