NEW YORK _ Joe Douglas evidently is on a mission to upgrade the Jets' offensive line. A few days after the new general manager coaxed former Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil out of retirement, he traded for Ravens guard Alex Lewis, according to sources.
The Jets gave Baltimore a conditional 2020 seventh-round pick for the talented but injury-prone lineman. Lewis, a 2016 fourth-round pick, started 10 games at left guard last season. He came off the physically unable to perform list Monday morning after passing his physical. Lewis, who missed the entire 2017 campaign due to injury, missed Baltimore's offseason program while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He missed the entire 2017 campaign due to a torn labrum. He also has starting experience at left tackle.
The Jets opted to trade for Lewis rather than wait until he was released. The 27-year-old Lewis, who has 18 career starts, is scheduled to make $2.03 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Douglas has made it clear that he wants to build a foundation on both lines.
Lewis' arrival beefs up the unit's depth.
