For the second consecutive offseason, the Jets will be looking to add a center in free agency.
Spencer Long did not get it done in his lone season in New York and has since been released. Long now resides in Buffalo, meaning the Jets will have to find their third center in as many seasons after the position was a staple of stability for the previous two decades with Kevin Mawae and Nick Mangold.
The free agent market for centers isn’t anything special, but there are a handful of intriguing targets available. With that being said, here are four centers the Jets should target come March.
Matt Paradis
Paradis has emerged as one of the most reliable centers in the league since taking over as Denver’s starter in 2015, making him the top player at his position on the free agent market this offseason.
In his first season as a starter, Paradis ranked 19th among all centers in pass blocking efficiency with a 96.6 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. The next season, he received a 90.7 overall grade, which ranked first among all centers. Paradis was also a model of consistency in his time with the Broncos, as he started all 16 games from 2015-17.
The only two red flags surrounding Paradis is the fact that he is coming off a season-ending injury, just as Long was when he signed with the Jets last offseason. In Week 9, Paradis fractured his fibula and was placed on injured reserve. He is also turning 30 and father time could catch up to him sooner rather than later
Nonetheless, he remains arguably the top option at the position on the open market. Chances are Paradis will remain a productive player for a couple of more years, which is all the Jets need to stabilize the position.
Mitch Morse
If it weren’t for injury concerns, there’s a chance Morse would be considered the top free agent center on the market this offseason.
Only 27, Morse is an excellent pass blocker and a solid run blocker. He has plenty of football left ahead of him and if 2018 was any indication, the former second-round pick is only getting better. However, Morse has missed 12 games the past two seasons and a foot injury brought a premature end to his 2017 season.
Foot injuries for offensive linemen are concerning, but Morse proved his durability in 2018. If the Jets miss out on Paradis, Morse should be the next center they target in free agency.
Jon Halapio
A move across the street might be what Jon Halapio needs to get back on track after a frustrating end to his season a year ago.
In 2018, Halapio’s season was halted in September due to a broken ankle. Prior to that, he was showing promise opening up holes in the middle of the Giants’ offensive line for Saquon Barkley to run through.
Halapio has the potential to be a solid starter in the NFL. As long as he can stay healthy, he’ll get a chance to prove it. The Jets should be one of the teams willing to give Halapio a chance to bounce back in 2019.
B.J. Finney
Finney hasn’t seen the field much in his NFL career, but it’s not because he isn’t deserving of a shot at playing time.
Stuck behind an abundance of talented offensive linemen in Pittsburgh, Finney has simply not had the opportunity to take over a starter’s role. When filling in for the starters, though, he has been impressive and has shown flashes of what he could bring to the table with some extended run.
If the Jets miss on their top free agent options at center, Finney would not be a bad fall-back option. He’s only 27 and deserves a chance at a starting gig. As a low-risk, high-reward signing, Finney could be the perfect fit in New York’s plans.
