The Jets hit the home run of the offseason by landing star free agent running back Le’Veon Bell, but New York still has plenty of work to do if it wants to contend in 2019.
With an estimated $30 million in remaining salary cap space, the Jets have an assortment of needs that can be filled prior to the NFL draft in April. There are still plenty of top-end talents available for the taking on the free agent market at positions of need, so it’s safe to assume the agreement with Bell will not mark the end of New York’s free agent activity.
Let’s take a look at which positions the Jets still need to address after signing Bell.
Center
The Jets made a mistake by allowing Matt Paradis to sign with the Carolina Panthers. New York needed to land the top free agent center and Paradis was the guy who could’ve helped Gang Green’s offensive line take it up a notch in 2019. Now, the Jets will have to settle for a Plan B signing.
At this point, New York’s best bet is adding John Sullivan into the mix. He’s no Paradis, but Sullivan is a solid veteran center who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Sandwiching him between Kelechi Osemele and Brian Winters would be a good idea and would likely amount to productive interior offensive line play.
There’s also the possibility that the Jets sign Miami Dolphins castoff Josh Sitton and move him to center. Gase reportedly loves his former left guard and Sitton his comfortable playing center from his days in Green Bay. Sullivan would be the better signing considering he is an actual center with a winning pedigree, but adding a lineman who is familiar with Gase’s scheme to play the position wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
With Anthony Barr’s decision to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings instead of the Jets, New York will have to return to free agency to address a gaping need coming off the edge.
Many of the top free agent options at defensive end and outside linebacker have signed elsewhere by now, but former Kansas City Chief Justin Houston still remains. At 30-years-old, Houston is likely looking to join a contender. The Jets adding Bell could potentially alter Houston’s perception of New York and entice him to take his talents to the Big Apple.
Past Houston, names like Derrick Morgan and Bruce Irvin remain available. It’s not an enticing group, so if New York strikes out on Houston, adding an edge rusher in the draft might be the way to go.
Cornerback
Somehow, Bryce Callahan is still a free agent and the Jets should be thankful for that. With the departure of Buster Skrine, New York needs to add a nickel corner and Callahan should be the guy it targets for that role.
Outside of the slot, Ronald Darby remains available and could be a nice fit opposite of Trumaine Johnson. Darby has dealt with injury problems in recent years, but is still only 25 and has plenty of time to turn it around.
Much like at pass rusher, New York would be wise to address its cornerback need at some point in the draft. With the free agent market thinning, the Jets cannot afford to overpay for a corner at this point in time.
Kicker
The Jets made another mistake by letting Jason Myers walk following a Pro Bowl 2018 season. Now, New York will find itself searching for a new kicker when there aren’t many desirable ones left to be had.
Stephen Gostkowski would be the ideal signing, but his price is likely to steep for the Jets. That leaves New York with its pick of Kai Fortbath, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Matt Bryant, Dan Bailey and others. Bryant is 44, but has experience kicking in New York with the Giants and might be the Jets best bet at the position.
By letting Myers walk, New York is taking a serious chance. It’s surprising that the Jets let their Pro Bowl kicker go and now, they may have to deal with the repercussions of that decision.
