The Jets head into the 2019 offseason with only two tight ends on the roster – Chris Herndon and Jordan Leggett. Only Herndon proved his worth in 2018, so the Jets could be in the market for at least one more tight end.
Adam Gase’s recent offenses aren’t known for utilizing the tight ends, though the Dolphins did use a second and fourth-round pick on the position in the 2018 draft. Gase is seemingly in love with Herndon, but could flirt with another tight end in an interesting free agency class. The key will be finding a player who compliment’s Herndon’s skillset as a do-it-all tight end, and/or a veteran player who can help Herndon develop.
Luckily for the Jets, there are several options in free agency that fit that description.
Tyler Eifert
Eifert would be a low-risk, high-reward luxury signing for the Jets — if they can get him for cheap.
The former first-round pick by the Bengals is extremely injury-prone and hasn’t played more than eight games in a season since 2015. But when Eifert does play, he’s been exceptional. In 2015, Eifert caught 52 balls for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns – including 11 touchdowns in the red zone.
Eifert is a top tight end talent that could come cheaply because of his injury history. His 6-foot-6, 225-pound frame makes him an incredible red zone target for Darnold and his veteran leadership would be huge for the emerging Herndon.
Everything will depend on how he’s recovered from ankle surgery that ended his 2018 season after Week 4. Eifert signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract this past offseason, so one would imagine he could command a similar deal after another injury-shortened season.
Tyler Kroft
Another Tyler and former Bengal, Kroft would be a nice compliment to Herndon because of his versatility. Known primarily as a blocker for Cincinnati – 998 blocking snaps to 677 passing snaps over four seasons – Kroft also proved his ability on special teams and as a pass catcher. Filling in for Eifert in 2017, Kroft caught 42 passes for 404 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kroft certainly isn’t the best tight end on the market, but the Jets don’t really need the next Rob Gronkowski when they have Herndon waiting in the wings. Kroft would be a much better option than the likes of Eric Tomlinson, and could also be very cheap after coming off season-ending foot surgery in 2018.
Marcedes Lewis
Lewis is the third-oldest tight end on the market at age 35, and his veteran presence, red zone catch ability, blocking skills and price could be the perfect mix for the Jets.
With 13 years of NFL experience under his belt, only Antonio Gates and Benjamin Watson could provide more mentorship for Herndon. Lewis has seen it all and would be a huge asset for the sophomore’s development.
Despite his age, Lewis’ red zone ability cannot be discounted. Of his 33 career regular-season touchdowns, Lewis has caught 24 from 19 yards out or fewer, and nine within three yards of the endzone. Lewis has also always been a phenomenal blocker and ranked among the best tight ends in 2017. He’d come cheap as well after only signing a $2.1 million contract in 2018.
Maxx Williams
If the Jets want a young, block-first tight end, look no further than Maxx Williams. Four years after the Ravens drafted him in the second round, Williams failed to find a role among Baltimore’s horde of tight ends, and now he’ll be looking for a job.
What Williams lacks in receiving, he makes up for in blocking. It’s the one niche he carved out in Baltimore, and it’s what he’ll be able to pitch to prospective teams. If the Jets want to maintain youth on offense, Williams will only be 25 years old and could be an intriguing low-risk option given the small salary he’d cost.
Benjamin Watson
Another wily veteran, Watson is at the ripe age of 38 but still going strong in the NFL. Over the past three years, Watson caught 170 passes for 1,745 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Watson’s wealth of knowledge would almost supersede his ability. He’d be to Herndon what Josh McCown was to Darnold in 2018. Even better, his experience with Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees could even allow him to help Darnold.
Considering the Jets offense won’t revolve around the tight end, it makes sense to spend money on what would effectively be a player-coach for one of the team’s young potential stars.
