To add depth to their offensive line, the Jets acquired Alex Lewis from the Baltimore Ravens on Monday for a 2020 conditional seventh-round pick.
The trade comes just two days after Lewis, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from an offseason shoulder injury, had passed his physical.
Injuries limited Lewis’ career in Baltimore, so the Jets are hoping a change of scenery comes with a cleaner bill of health. With that said, let’s get to know the Jets’ latest depth piece on the offensive line.
Fractured relationship in Baltimore
Alex Lewis’ departure from Baltimore had been brewing.
After offseason shoulder surgery, Lewis decided to rehabilitate away from the team, which seemingly displeased Ravens officials. Even though Lewis had recently passed a physical and had been activated from the PUP list, it still wasn’t enough to keep his name in the conversation as the starting left guard.
Baltimore’s patience had run out with its former fourth-round pick. It looked as if the Ravens were prepared to release Lewis before trading him to the Jets. Now, he will look to reinvent himself as a depth piece in New York.
Extensive injury history
Alex Lewis started eight games during his rookie season in Baltimore, but a sprained knee derailed his first-year campaign six weeks early.
In 2017, Lewis suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason game that required season-ending surgery. Last season, Lewis was carted off with a neck injury, but he only missed two games. Following the 2018 season, Lewis underwent offseason shoulder surgery.
In the family
After starting his collegiate career at the University of Colorado, Alex Lewis transferred to the University of Nebraska, where his father, Bill Lewis, was an All-American center.
The elder Lewis started 63 games in the NFL from 1986-93, playing for the Raiders, Cardinals and Patriots,
Starting caliber
During his rookie campaign, Alex Lewis played in 10 games with eight starts. After missing all of 2017, Lewis started 10 games at guard last season.
When healthy, Lewis proved to be a capable starter on one of the better offensive lines in football. There is no question that if something were to happen to Kelechi Osemele, Lewis would be able to step in as the starter.
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