There is still plenty of time for Jets general manager Joe Douglas to improve New York’s roster before the beginning of training camp in late July.
Douglas has spent all offseason positioning the Jets to look more like a contender than a team still rebuilding in 2020. He put together a draft class that was met with almost universally positive reviews and did well to add some new talent at relatively cheap rates in free agency. There is still more work that can be done, though.
Armed with $14.2 million in salary cap space with another $11 million in cap relief coming on Monday thanks to the release of Trumaine Johnson, Douglas has enough ammunition to get New York’s roster exactly where he wants it to be before the offseason ends.
With that being said, here are seven moves that Douglas can make to not only bring more talent to One Jets Drive, but also to free up the money necessary to add such talent.
Sign Larry Warford
It’s hard to believe that Larry Warford is still a free agent.
Warford, who turns 29 in mid-June, is coming off three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and is arguably at the top of his game right now. He has plenty of good football left ahead of him and his arrival in New York would give the Jets an elite run blocker.
Considering the emphasis Joe Douglas has placed on upgrading in the trenches throughout the offseason, there is no reason to pass up on a player of Warford’s caliber as long as he is not asking for an exorbitant amount of money.
Add a veteran presence at wide receiver
With Quincy Enunwa out for the year, the Jets could benefit from signing another wideout who has earned his stripes in the NFL.
New York has a solid starting wide receiver trio of Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, and rookie Denzel Mims. Beyond those three the depth is suspect and mostly inexperienced. In the event of an injury to one of the starters, the Jets need an experienced receiver that can serve as a viable target for Sam Darnold.
Unfortunately for New York, there are not too many quality options left in free agency other than Paul Richardson and Chester Rodgers. Demaryius Thomas is a veteran the Jets could bring back given his familiarity with Adam Gase, but it remains to be seen if he would garner any sort of consideration.
Even if the options available to the Jets right now are not all that enticing, adding a veteran presence at receiver, even if it’s just for training camp, is a move New York should consider making.
Sign Logan Ryan
Like Larry Warford, it’s a head-scratcher as to why Logan Ryan is still available for the taking in free agency. For the Jets, it could be a blessing in disguise.
Pairing Ryan with Pierre Desir on the outside would give New York a solid cornerback trio. With Brain Poole lined up in the nickel, the Jets would have three established cornerbacks on the field — a far cry from the team’s personnel at the position in 2019.
The Jets can’t afford to rely on young cornerbacks if they want their secondary to become a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season. Ryan adds instant credibility and a track record of success to the position. As long as his asking price is not out of range, Douglas should do what he has to do to get a deal done.
Sign Jadeveon Clowney
Arguably the biggest name left in free agency, Clowney is still without a home due to a lack of recent production and durability concerns that have hindered his ability to cash in on a big-time contract.
Injuries have made it tough for Clowney to live up to the hype that followed him into the NFL. He has yet to eclipse the 10-sack mark in his career and while he is nowhere close to being a bust, he has not become the superstar many expected him to be.
That does not mean the Jets should not be interested in signing Clowney, though. In fact, Joe Douglas should be eager to add another pass rusher to pair with Jordan Jenkins considering New York’s inexperienced depth at the position.
Bring back Kelvin Beachum
The Jets beefed up at tackle this offseason with the signing of George Fant and the selection of Mekhi Becton in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but there is still an important role Kelvin Beachum could play for the Jets this upcoming season.
If Becton or Fant succumb to injury at any point, Chuma Edoga will be thrust into action. His rookie season did not indicate he is ready for that kind of role. Beachum gives the Jets a veteran who can step in and fill the void with ease given his experience and familiarity with the offense.
Assuming Beachum is willing to take a little bit of a pay cut, Joe Douglas should consider adding him to boost New York’s depth in the trenches.
Cut Brian Winters and Avery Williamson
There is a legitimate chance both Avery Williamson and Brian Winters become salary cap casualties before training camp rolls around.
The financial incentive to move on from both players is certainly there. Cutting Winters would free up an additional $7.28 million in salary cap space. Parting ways with Williamson would free up roughly $6.5 million.
The Jets have enough depth at linebacker and on the offensive line to absorb the impact of losing both players. With that in mind, if Joe Douglas has any designs on clearing up cap space, Williamson and Winters will be the first two players out the door.
