FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A have a look at what’s taking place across the New York Jets:
1. Catch a rising star? The ill-fated pursuit of Tyreek Hill revealed the Jets’ need to make a daring transfer for a WR1, and staff officers made no try at this week’s house owners conferences to throw a moist blanket on that concept. As we advised you final week on this house, they proceed to observe the vast receiver market.
“If the opportunity is right and the price is right, we’re going to strike,” common supervisor Joe Douglas mentioned in Palm Seaside, Florida.
The recent names are the Seattle Seahawks‘ DK Metcalf and the Tennessee Titans‘ A.J. Brown, each of whom have just one yr left on their rookie contracts and are up for mega-extensions. The receiver market has exploded in current weeks, prompting Seahawks GM John Schneider to express sticker shock. The Jets’ Twitter pounced on that, fueling its visions of Metcalf in inexperienced (which means the Jets’ coloration, not cash, though the latter will surely apply).
Would it not be smart for the Jets to make a blockbuster transfer? It takes two to tango, and the Seahawks are telling groups that Metcalf is not out there, a supply mentioned. Brown is the title to observe, as talked about two weeks in the past, due to the Titans’ tight cap state of affairs.
Let’s analyze:
The Jets are multiple participant away from being a legit contender, and the price of a commerce (in cash and draft picks) would impede their means to handle different wants. It’s important to consider Seattle, if it decides to buy Metcalf, would need again their first-round decide (tenth general) from the Jamal Adams commerce — after which some. Tennessee additionally would determine to focus on that decide.
Requested if he’d be prepared to half with one in all his two first-round selections in any commerce, Douglas was reluctant to touch upon a hypothetical situation. However he added, “If it’s the right opportunity, we’ll consider any package.” He acknowledged vast receiver is “definitely a premium position for us,” largely as a result of it might assist quarterback Zach Wilson.
As traditional, the draft is loaded with receivers, with six projected first-rounders in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft. The Jets might take Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson or Southern Cal’s Drake London with the fourth or tenth decide. A participant drafted at 10 will value $23.5 million over 4 years, whereas Metcalf and Brown — primarily based on the escalation of receiver salaries — determine to command not less than $25 million per yr.
It is less expensive to draft and develop, however — and this can be a huge “but” — the Jets benefit from a rookie quarterback contract. Principally, it is a three-year window that affords them large flexibility. For the Jets, that is a game-changer. That is why they had been prepared to splurge for Hill, and it is why they might be fascinated about Brown, Metcalf or one other contract-seeking marquee receiver if he turns into out there.
Metcalf is barely 24 and his finest days are forward of him. Ditto Brown, 24, who’s on the identical degree as Metcalf from a manufacturing standpoint however is much less sturdy. They’re 4 years youthful than Hill, which provides to the attract of this potential commerce. The Jets ought to go for it, so long as they do not have to surrender the fort. As Bruce Arians would say, “No risk it, no biscuit.”
2. Do you know? We’ve by no means seen this many blockbuster trades. In March, seven first-round picks have been traded for veteran gamers, probably the most in a single month within the common-draft period (since 1967). The breakdown: Deshaun Watson (three), Russell Wilson (two), Davante Adams (one) and Hill (one).
3. Draft buzz: Large receiver, defensive finish, cornerback and security are the most important wants, however there is a good likelihood the “best” participant out there with the fourth decide shall be an offensive lineman, both Evan Neal (Alabama) or Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State). What, then? Douglas won’t stray from his board, so an offensive lineman cannot be dominated out, particularly if the primary three picks are defensive ends. If that occurs, cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati) might enter the dialog.
4. Edgy choices: To me, probably the most compelling gamers from a Jets standpoint are edge rushers Travon Walker (Georgia) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon). If one is out there, it is a no-brainer, proper? Properly, not precisely. Thibodeaux might be overrated and lacks an “all gas, no brake” mentality, in line with some expertise evaluators. Walker has uncommon traits, however his manufacturing (six sacks) issues some.
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay is a Walker fan, saying, “I don’t think there’s a player in this class who generates more power from the ground up. His production numbers are going to be a lot better in the NFL than they were in college.”
It might be a shock if the Jets do not decide an edge participant at No. 4 or 10.
5. Winners needed: One of many underplayed storylines this offseason is how the Jets adopted by on their goal so as to add management to the locker room — particularly, gamers with profitable backgrounds. Coach Robert Saleh mentioned he needed to signal gamers who had skilled “championship moments.” You want these type of guys on any staff, however particularly a staff just like the Jets, as a result of everyone knows it has been a very long time since they received something.
The Jets completed that, as their prime seven free-agent additions have mixed for 31 postseason video games. 5 of them performed in a Tremendous Bowl — cornerback D.J. Reed, defensive deal with Solomon Thomas and guard Laken Tomlinson with the San Francisco 49ers; security Jordan Whitehead with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and tight finish C.J. Uzomah with the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitehead is the one one with a Tremendous Bowl ring.
“We’re hoping the payoff starts now, with this year,” Saleh mentioned.
6. Turf demon exorcised: Thomas mentioned he has no issues about taking part in on the turf at MetLife Stadium. It’s possible you’ll recall he tore an ACL at MetLife in Week 2 of the 2020 season, one of some 49ers injured that day. Afterward, they complained in regards to the high quality of the turf, which had simply been put in. Thomas, who will play on it not less than eight occasions, mentioned he “forgave” the turf earlier than a sport final season in opposition to the New York Giants.
“I came out early before the game, about three hours before game time, and I sat on the turf and I made amends with it,” mentioned Thomas, who returned as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. “I talked to it. I forgave it. I said, ‘Hey, going forward, we’re going to be buddies.’ Me and the turf are on good terms now.”
He suspects the standard shall be higher now that it is damaged in.
7. The imperfect 10s: Thomas, the third general decide in 2017, turns into the tenth former top-10 decide to affix the Jets since 2000. Let’s take a stroll down reminiscence lane. A few of these names will set off unhealthy reminiscences, to make sure. A couple of of them labored out properly. The most effective of the bunch was Thomas Jones.
8. Woody bucks: You’ll be able to’t say the Jets do not spend. They’ve doled out $81.4 million in totally assured cash, which ranks fifth, in line with Over The Cap numbers. That features re-signing their very own gamers.
9. Can anyone kick straight? Hoping to place an finish to the annual kicking carousel, the Jets have set the stage for a contest between two veterans, Greg Zuerlein and Eddy Pineiro. That is hardly a certain factor. Zuerlein, 34, is a declining vet who by no means has kicked in chilly climate. Pineiro confirmed promise final December/January however nonetheless hasn’t put collectively a full season.
Notoriously frugal in relation to kickers, the Jets really doled out a couple of bucks. They gave Zuerlein a $1 million assure on a one-year deal. Pineiro received about $700,000. Since 2019, the Jets are thirty first and thirty second in area purpose and PAT share, respectively.
10. The final phrase: “Absolutely. We need to be playing meaningful games in December.” — Douglas
