This offseason, the New York Jets are going to rebuild their offensive line.
Following a 2019 season that featured awful play in the trenches throughout the year, first-year general manager Joe Douglas is out to fill holes across New York’s line.
This year’s left guard market features some big-time names, which is good news for Douglas. There are also some players not worth touching with a 10-foot pole.
Who are they? Let’s take a look.
Mike Iupati
Iupati looked like he was done with how poorly he performed with the Cardinals in 2018. However, he bounced back with the Seahawks last season, earning himself Pro Bowl alternate consideration following his most productive season in a long time.
Iupati might seem like a nice short-term plug and play guard the Jets could use, but he is 33 and decline could be imminent. He has also dealt with back and knee injuries the last couple of years — arguably two of the most concerning injuries for any offensive lineman.
It wouldn’t hurt to give Iupati a look, but the Jets should make an effort to get a younger left guard with a cleaner bill of health as their next starter at the position.
Xavier Su’a-Filo
A former second-round pick of the Texans’, Su’a-Filo has not quite lived up to the lofty expectations that followed him into the NFL.
Su’a-Filo has battled injuries and stretches of inconsistent play, making him a high-risk free agent option at left guard. The Jets don’t need to be taking risks on the line this offseason. They need as safe of a signing as possible. That should rule Su’a-Filo out as a potential target.
Ereck Flowers
When the Giants picked Flowers in the Top 10 of the 2015 NFL Draft, the last thing they were expecting was him to become one of the worst left tackles in football.
Flowers couldn’t block anyone at left tackle. As a result, he shifted over to left guard with the Redskins last season. His production improved a little bit, but that’s not saying much considering how bad he was as a tackle.
The Jets shouldn’t give Flowers a single thought in free agency. It would be a waste of time considering how his first stay in the Big Apple went.
Austin Blythe
Blythe is a jack of all trades on the offensive line. Throughout his NFL career, he has played center, left guard and right guard. Just don’t count on him to turn in standout performances wherever he lines up.
Blythe graded out as a below average offensive lineman in 2019. He is probably better suited as a backup who can line up at multiple positions than the starter the Jets desperately need.
