New Jets general manager Joe Douglas won’t be formally introduced until this afternoon, but he already has his work cut out for him.
Past management has left the Jets strapped for depth at key positions like cornerback and offensive line. One of Douglas’ first orders of business is to fill out the depth chart with positions of need that were consistently ignored near the top of the draft.
Douglas is now responsible for the 53-man roster, and with previous relationships intact, it is feasible that he can swing a deal with his former employer. He presided over three drafts with the Eagles, and there could be capable depth pieces at the back end of their roster.
Let’s take a look at four Eagles players Douglas should pursue a reunion with.
CB Rasul Douglas
The Jets are noticeably lacking talent at the cornerback position. Beyond the likes of Trumaine Johnson, Brian Poole and Darryl Roberts, it’s hard to find others who would be capable NFL starters.
That’s where Rasul Douglas comes into play. Joe Douglas was part of the Eagles front office that took the corner in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Over the past two seasons, Rasul Douglas has been an integral secondary piece that has aided the Eagles’ two playoff runs. Now, with the Eagles noticeably comfortable in their cornerback room, it’s foreseeable that GM Howie Roseman would be willing to part with the third-year cornerback.
Douglas could easily push to start right away at the No. 2 cornerback position in New York, as many are unsure whether or not Roberts can make that leap just yet.
WR Shelton Gibson
The Jets have a lot of depth at wide receiver heading into training camp, but beyond their top three guys, there aren’t any that are a lock to make the team.
Gibson already finds himself on the roster bubble with Philadelphia as is. The Eagles brought in three wideouts this offseason and have one returning from injury, potentially making Gibson the odd man out.
Like Douglas, Gibson is a 2017 draft pick out of West Virginia. It is conceivable that Joe Douglas, who had a hand in drafting both, believes there is still potential with Gibson, who only has three receptions for 59 yards in his career. However, he could find himself being the No. 4 option on Gang Green.
OT Jordan Mailata
Odds are that Mailata, a 6-foot-8 former Australian rugby star, won’t be a starter on either the Jets or Eagles. However, with Philadelphia drafting tackle Andre Dillard this year, Mailata is its third-best option at left tackle.
New York is no man’s land in regards to its offensive line. Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell are both replacement-level starters, while Chuma Edoga serves as the best backup option as a rookie. Mailata wouldn’t have an immediate impact but would serve as a formidable contingency plan with both Beachum and Shell having extensive injury histories.
DE Daeshon Hall
A former third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, Hall was signed to the Eagles active roster from the Texans’ practice squad in December.
Even though the Jets would be Hall’s fifth team in just two seasons, he is just 22 years old. The Jets still need help at the defensive end position, and the Eagles are proof that you can never have too much depth on your defensive line.
