For the second year in a row, Douglas used a pair of fourth-round picks to stock the Jets’ roster. Last year, he added T Max Mitchell and DL Micheal Clemons in the fourth round. They each saw significant playing time last season. This year, as Douglas worked his late-round trading magic, it was Warren in the fourth, then Warren’s Pitt teammate, RB Israel Abanikanda (Rd. 5, No. 143 overall; and then LB Zaire Barnes (Western Michigan, Rd. 6, No. 184); CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (LSU, Rd. 6, No. 204); and TE Zack Kuntz, (Old Dominion, Rd. 7, No. 220).
With the additions of Warren and Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann (Rd. 2, No. 43), Douglas has added value and depth to the offensive line. In free agency, the Jets signed Trystan Colon, Wes Schweitzer, and on Monday, Billy Turner. Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker are returning from injury. C Connor McGovern and Cedric Ogbuehi were re-signed, returning along with Laken Tomlinson, Adam Pankey and Greg Senat. Douglas has been true to his affinity for O-linemen, having played the position in college.
Asked for more of his analysis of Warren, he said: “His athleticism, his feet, balance, lateral agility. He’s a natural pass protector. Really good bend in his lower body, hips, knees, ankles. The length, 35-plus arms, so he can keep those edge rushers off his body, out of his frame, so the natural pass protection ability is evident. Those guys are good at left and right tackle. Again, a smart, versatile guy, which is key for our unit.”
HC Robert Saleh and the team’s new O-line coach Keith Carter hope to avoid last season’s raft of injuries and constant shuffling along the front of the offense, especially to keep new QB Aaron Rodgers as clean as possible.
“It’s [the O-line] got a chance to be a really good group, but we’ve got to figure out how best to utilize each player,” Saleh said. “It’s going to take time between now and training camp.”
As for Warren, whether he stays in familiar surroundings at home in…
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