The Jets went out and got their franchise QB in 2021. They also got some key pieces in the draft with Elijah Moore and Michael Carter. There is plenty of excitement moving forward due to this young talented group and 4 draft picks in the top 2 rounds in the 2022 draft. They also have WR Corey Davis and a decent TE in Ryan Griffin.
On offense, the Jets are rank 15th in passing yards and 28th in completion percentage. The offensive line stats are deceiving because of the situation of having a rookie qb. Also, the Jets are last in rushing attempts on the year, which is shocking with a rookie QB. But they are tied for 11th in rushing yards per carry at 4.4. It's no secret that their lack of attempts hurt their statistical numbers and the team is a much better when they run the football on a consistent basis.. Even though they are last in attempts, they are 26th in yards. So, if they rushed 8-10 more times a game, they would probably be around the middle of the pack in rushing.
They were also sacked 2.9 times per game which is 26th in the league. But, again that stat is deceiving because of several factors:
1. Having a rookie qb and making poor decisions
2. Some of those are on naked boots which is no one's faults up front.
3. Some were a result of the rb.
4. The Jets get a ton of 5 man pressures because they have a rookie qb.
5. They lead the league in passing attempts. More passing attempts=more sacks
6. They don't run the ball nearly enough, last in rushing attempts
My point is that you shouldn't get caught up in the numbers. They were better than what people thought.
Moving Forward
Now they have to address some pieces to really take the next step as a program. One of the positions they have to address is the offensive line and tight end.
The biggest question marks on the offensive line are the following:
1. Who plays right guard?
2. Do they bring Moses back or kick Fant back to right tackle?
3. Who plays center? Do they restructure McGovern or go to a different option either through the draft or free agency?
What will the plan be. I happen to like Moses and think he should be brought back? If not, do you go after a veteran back up. Would you bring him back and move Becton to guard. Would it be more cost effective?
Imagine an offensive line of:
Fant-Becton- Mcgovern-Tucker-Moses. I 'm in the minority about moving Becton to guard but that would be a really impressive offensive line.
But let's dive a little deeper into the options:
Last year's starters.
LT/RT- George Fant-George moved from the right side to the left side after Mekai Becton went down and played really well over there. Arguably, he played better than Becton and graded out quite weil in both the run and pass game.
LT-Mekai Becton is going to play somewhere next year. Tremendous run blocker with some issues handling speed rushers. He will be back but do you consider moving him to guard? Probably not, but it wouldn't be the worst move in the world.
LG Aligah Vera-Tucker- Vera Tucker did a real nice job in the run game as a rookie and will be a solid player for years to come. He is excellent in the zone scheme and playside in the gap counter schemes. The areas he can improve upon is pass protection and his trap, counter blocking technique. Thought he struggled at times in those 2 areas. The nice thing about him is he can kick over to right guard if they sign a left guard.
C-Connor Mcgovern- Connor is a good football player that fans seem to underestimate his ability. I don't think he is nearly the problem they make him out to be. To me, he is a top 10 center and a player I would want on my football team. That being said, he does have a huge contract but that can be converted into a 2 year deal with a nice signing bonus, thus giving the Jets more cap flexilbilty.
RG- Laurent Devarney-Tardiff - Tardiff was a nice pickup and great story as he has done a tremendous amount for the community. But in reality there are better answers to play guard. They could really benefit from him coming back in a reserve role but I think they need to go in another direction at starting right guard.
RT- Morgan Moses- Morgan Moses was a good addition and is a very solid right tackle. He has only let up 3 sacks and is a very solid pro.
Backups
Dan Feeney, Greg Van Roten, Connor McDermott and Isaiah Wilson were some of the key backups on 2021. I would expect Feeney back, especially for the excitement of Islander games.
Tight End
The Jets 2 tight ends were more run blockers and neither was a top tight end in receptions in 2021. Griffin was #30 in receptions. This an area in which the Jets would like to get a quality receiving te in 2022.
TE- Tyler Kroft- Had a good year and is a very solid run blocker. Was adequate in the passing game but really not a dynamic wr.
TE- Ryan Griffin- Not the run blocker that Kroft is but a little more versatile in the pass game.
TE-Trevon Wesco- A one dimensional tight end/full back who givves them some versatility.
2022 definite returners
Fant, Becton and Tucker will be back and it gives the Jets some flexibility. Fant could be restructured but I wouldn't mess around with him too much. It may cost you more money.
Possible Returners
C- Mcgovern is a 9 million dollar savings if cut. The Jets could restructure him give him a 2 year deal and bring him back. Throw him a signing bonus and maybe a 2 year 12 million dollar deal. I think he's a solid player and worth the investment.
RT Morgan Moses-Here's where it gets interesting. I like Moses and think he would be worth bringing back. But you aren't going to get him for the bargain basement price you got him at last year. Now do you resign him and give yourself some more flexibility with 3 tackles.
TE-Tyler Kroft and Ryan Griffith are both free agents. What direction do you want to go there. I coould see them bringing one back and then searching for the more dynamic option in free agency.
Free Agency Options
Let's look at some of the free agent options for the Jets at both tight end ,center and guard, the positions you can see the Jets possibly bringing in thru free agency.
#1 Guard
I don't think the Jets need to focus on a left or right guard because of Vera-Tucker's versatility.He played right guard at USC in his earlier years. People may disagree with me on that but I want the best available guard there.
Below are 9 guys who would be great additions to the Jets offensive line. All are clearly better than what the jets have now. I would be surprised if they don't go after a guard in free agency only because of the depth in free agency at the position.
1. Brandon Scherf wft A great player who will be one of the best guards on the market. He won't be franchised again.
2. Connor Williams cowboys A player who may be franchised but I can see hitting the market because of the cowboys cap issues.
3. James Daniels Bears Really came into his own this year after moving around over the years. Is he good enought to be tagged or will he hit the open market.
4. Austin Corbett Rams Corbett is really good. Has some good years ahead of him.Can play center or guard which is great for versatility purposes. Do the Rams franchise him or Darious Williams-CB?
5. Andy Norwell Jaguars A great vet who doesn't seem to have lost a step.
6. Laken Tomlinson 49ers I think Saleh knows how good he is.
7. Mark Glowinski Colts Mark is a heck of a guard. Could get the franchise tag.
8. Quinton Spain Bengals Quinton is a very good guard and excellent run blocker. Definitely a great run blocker
9. Patrick Mekari Ravens A restricted free agent so I don't see the Ravens letting him go but you never know.
#2 Center
The only players in the same class as McGovern are:
Ryan jensen Bucs
Brian Allen Rams
Brad Bozeman Ravens
These are the only 3 who would be worth replacing McGovern with. Are you going to get them for under $9 milllion per year. These guys are going to command $10 million plus per year so maybe trying to lure Mcgovern back may be a better option.
Other options who aren't the players Mcgovern are and I put in the avearge range include: Ethan Pocic Seahawks
Matt Paradis Panthers
Patrick lucas packers
Max garcia Cardinals Garcia intrigues me because he can play center/guard, which in today's NFL is a commodity
The options are McGovern, one of the players above or drafting a center in the 2nd round. That's how it will play out.
#3 TE
The Jets have 2 free agent tight ends. Both are good blockers and I can see 1 being brought back. Both Griffin and Kroft are solid pros. Whether they attack the position in free agency or the draft remains to be seen but I can see them signing 1 tight end and drafting another in round 2 or 3. They also have Kenny Yeboah so will see their thoughts on him. Either way they need two tight ends.
Here's where it gets interesting in free agency. The tight end class is not very deep. The best tight end is Mike Gesicki. I will be shocked if Gisecki hits the open market. I anticipate him being franchised. But if he gets his wish and he's classified as a wr, he may hit the market because that would cost the Dolphins some $$$. Keep an eye on that.
That leaves the following:
1. Dalton Shultz cowboys 69 receptions, 733 yards,10.6 ypc Will be available because the Cowboys will mostly franchise Gregory, Williams or Kearse.
2. Zach Ertz- Cardinals 60 receptions , 638 yards 10.6 ypc Great veteran who has a few years in the tank,
3.Tyler Conklin min 54 receptions 540 yards 10 ypc He may be the best one of the group,has great upside and is a good route runner. Keep an eye on him but I don't see the Vikings franchising anyone else. HE would be the franchise tag recipient as I see it.
4. CJ Uzomah bengals 45 receptions ,461 yards 10. 2 ypc Good veteran who may be a nice security blanket for a young qb.
5. David njoku Browns 30 receptions , 436 yards 14.5 ypc . Njoku is a wr who plays tight end and that's an intriguing player because you can split him out and force some 1x1 matchups on the perimeter. Not an inline tight end but would be a great off the ball option.
6. Ricky Seals-Jones wft A converted wr who has even more room to grow. He adds to his body, he may be an even better tight end in 2022. He's a guy to keep your eyes on.He had 29 catches for 263 yards in 2021.
7 Robert Tonyan packers Tonyan was coming into his own before getting injured in 2021. May be a 1 year prove it candidate as Joe Douglas loves.
8 Mo Cox Colts. Mo Cox could be a very solid addition, especially in the run game. He's just a good football player.
Again, this isn't a tremendous free agent class so expect the Jets to draft a tight end.
All in all, the offensive line and tight end positions need to be addressed. 'm curious to see how it plays out.
I hope you enjoyed this article and my thoughts on the offensive line and tight end position.
