The Jets are projected to have 23 total free agents hit the market this winter. Now when a team finishes a season 4-13, how many of those really need to come back? So in this column, I'm going to offer my perspective on every single free agent, whether they should come back, and what kind of a deal I would offer. In addition, I will also select a few players to cut to save on cap space. In a future post, I will look at outside free agency and who the Jets should bring in. Remember free agency begins March 16, so we have plenty of time to break that down.
Cap Space = $54,366,000 (per overthecap.com)
Cuts
RB Ty Johnson ($965,000 savings)
I give Ty credit for this much. He has some nifty footwork and he showed it on his two receiving touchdowns. But 9 drops and 8 pass pressures allowed?
RB La'Mical Perine ($709,000)
The guy didn't get much of a chance, he wasn't suited to play in this offense. Perine truly strikes me as the ultimate JAG. Hoe doesn't do anything really well, and he doesn't do anything really bad. He's just an ordinary dude. Well, I'm tired of having a lot of ordinary dudes. It's best for both sides to part company.
TE Trevon Wesco ($965,000)
In 12 games, he played anywhere between 2% and 43% of the offensive snaps. He's a pretty fair run blocker, ranking in the top 20 for tight ends, but this offense requires tight ends who can catch the ball and block. In 3 years, he's caught 6 passes on 10 targets for 84 yards. This FB/TE situation needs a major overhaul.
TE Ryan Griffin ($3,288,000)
Can we please move on from this guy? He allowed eight pass pressures, 3rd among tight ends. He caught 27 of 42 targets for a 261 and a pair of touchdowns. Not to mention 3 drops and a fumble. And he may be the most awkward running tight end I have ever seen. The 3 million can be spent better elsewhere.
RG Greg Van Roten ($3,500,000)
The less said the better. Well, let's still look at a few stats. After the Long Island native went out of the starting lineup in Week 11, the Jets averaged 3 more yards per rushing attempt than in Weeks 1-10. Oh and at the time of his benching, he was leading all right guards with 32 pressures allowed.
DT Sheldon Rankins ($5,500,000)
In a 4-3 defense, there needs to be at least one solid run stuffer, and Rankins simply doesn't do it, he was one of the lowest graded run defenders in the league. And at pressuring the passer, well, not much better. He recorded a career-low pressure rate of 5.8%. It was a one year risk that didn't work out.
Free Agents
Note: A restricted free agent (RFA) has three accrued seasons and an expiring contract. They can negotiate and sign with any team, but his original team can offer a tender or qualifying offer that come with the first right of refusal and/or draft pick compensation. If the team withdraws the tender, the player then becomes an unrestricted free agent. An exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) has less than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his team offers him a 1 year deal, they player may not negotiate with other teams.
QB Mike White (RFA)
Yep, Mike freaking White. His games against the Bills and Patriots didn't exactly go as hoped, but he played well in his limited time against the Colts and who will ever forget that all-time performance against Cincinnati. I'm thrilled to keep him as a backup and I doubt any team is looking to sign him as their starter.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $2 million. I wouldn't go with a first round tender for $4.8 million, and maybe not even a second round tender, that would cost about $3.5 million. But for an original 5th round tender, I'm good with that, it would probably only be a little over 2 million dollars, based off 2021 numbers.
QB Joe Flacco
In two games, Flacco had 27 completions on 42 passes with 3 touchdowns and no picks. Not too shabby. But I'm gonna say Joe hangs them up.
Verdict: Go. Thanks for your services Joe, but Zach has enough coaches now.
RB Tevin Coleman
Verdict: Good for his limited role. I hear people talking about the value of his veteran leadership and I'm not sure how valuable that really is. He didn't score a single touchdown in 2021 and he only caught 11 passes out of the backfield. With 84 carries for 356 yards with a long run of 20 yards, I would offer him a low 1 year deal and if he takes it great.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $1 million
FB Nick Bawden
I'm all for having a quality fullback for this offense. Before the season began, I wanted the Jets to prioritize signing Kyle Juszczyk away from San Francisco, but he never even got to the market. Bawden joined the Jets for the second half of the season and showed some talent, especially laying out a mean block on Braxton Berrios' kickoff return touchdown. He has established a special teams asset, and on offense, his role has grown has he played 40 percent of the snaps over the last two weeks of the season. Let's see how much better he can get.
Verdict: Stay. 2 years, $2 million
WR Jamison Crowder
This is one of the tougher decisions to make. On one hand, Crowder recorded a team high 51 receptions, so maybe Zach Wilson feels comfortable with him. At the same time, how many of those 51 receptions do you remember? Averaging 8 yards per catch and scoring only twice, Crowder has become a reliable underneath receiver. And considering Joe Douglas reduced his contract, I think Crowder looks for a fresh start.
Verdict: Go.
WR Braxton Berrios
Remember after the first month of the season, when numerous Jets fans were complaining about Berrios having the most targets of any receiver? Yep that really happened. But as one Jet receiver and tight end after another went down to injury, Berrios remained steadfast, becoming the Swiss army knife of Mike LaFleur's offense. This OC loves the creativity he gets to employ with Berrios on end arounds, screens, sweeps, you name it. The results: 431 yards receiving, five plays of over 20 yards. Five touchdowns: 2 receiving, 2 running, and 1 returning. And of course, finishing second in both punt return average and kick return average.
Verdict: Stay: 4 years, S20 million, $12 million guaranteed. This is the glue guy the Jets need to commit to and I would even to up to 6 million if needed. Imagine if he hits the market? New England would be calling him at 12:01 AM.
WR Keelan Cole
My favorite thing about Cole is when he plays interviewer, and asks questions to the Jets players in those videos on the team website. And his catch against Tennessee when Zach Wilson hurled that long bomb was a moment we will always remember. I like that he averaged 16 yards per catch. But here's what bothers me. 28 catches on 51 targets. He had his flashy moments, but it simply not a reliable target.
Verdict: Go. He made $5.4 million this past season. I would offer a contract, but would not exceed $3 million, and I don't think it'll be enough. Let's address WR in the middle rounds of the draft.
WR Jeff Smith (ERFA)
He caught 8 of 117 targets for 113 yards. He's basically the last WR on the team...except for Denzel Mims. Basically, thus is a gadget player who doesn't have a role on this team anymore. Amazing that some people thought he would get a roster spot over Braxton Berrios
Verdict: Go.
TE Tyler Kroft
I'm going to be in the minority on this, but I like Kroft as a #2/3 TE. Yes he had injuries, and yes he dropped some passes. But remember he caught the go ahead touchdown vs Cincinnati and averaged 11 yards per reception. He is still a credible blocker, not a difference maker, but he can still be a useful piece if he's not asked to do too much.
Verdict: Stay. 2 years, $4 million, $2 million guaranteed
OG Dan Feeney
Great mullet. Good center. Hideous guard. Ok in fairness, he did run block pretty well.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $1 million, and no negotiation
OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
I believe in Joe Douglas, and this trade is exactly why. The right guard spot desperately needed an upgrade and LDT provided it, especially in the running game. Pass protection, watching his one on one blocking was tough to watch, especially against Buffalo. The other question is he more committed to playing football or to his medical practice?
Verdict: Stay: 2 years, $10 million, $6 million guaranteed. For an adequate 30 year old guard, I would go short term here, just as a stopgap.
OT Connor McDermott
Well if he was a tight end, we might be having a different conversation. Nice TD catch. That will be the only good thing he ever did as a Jet. He gave up multiple sacks in every start he had in relief of George Fant.
Verdict: Go
OT Morgan Moses
As happy as I was that the Jets signed Moses away from Washington, this is not a guy I'm looking to bring back. He created rushing yards, and yes, this offense is predicated on running the ball. But I was disappointed in him as a pass blocker. 49 pressures is the 4th most allowed among right tackles, and that just can't continue.
Verdict: Go. My hope is next year's starting tackles or Mekhi Becton and George Fant, and they draft a young OT in the middle rounds of the draft.
OT Isaiah Williams
He's already 28 years old. Basically the backup to the backup to the backup. Not worth keeping and if you see him on the field on a regular season game, something has gone terribly wrong.
Verdict: Go.
DT Nathan Shepherd
While you read his name, he just took another penalty. He did average one whole tackle per game and even had 8 QB hits. But his ability to stop the run is about on par with speedy rookie Jonathan Marshall. His legacy will be the first draft pick made after Sam Darnold, an inexcusable choice by then-GM Mike MacCagnan when offensive assets such as RB Chase Edmonds, WR Michael Gallup and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and TEs Mark Andrews and Dalton Schultz were still available.
Verdict: Go.
DT Foley Fatukasi
For me, no player is a bigger tossup than this. Mike MacCagnan's best value draft pick is this run-stuffing DT. But he appears to be a better fit for a 3-4 defense than a 4-3. He had a PFF run-stopping grade of 86.2 in 2020, but that dropped to 57.3 this year, placing him right in the middle of the league.
Verdict: Go. While I respect and appreciate Foley, he is not a part of the solution going forward. The 4-3 defense simply does not suit his skill set.
DE Vinny Curry
It's a shame we never got to see Vinny get a chance to play this season, as blood clots ended his season before the regular season started. At 33 years old, will he choose to risk his health? He signed for the Jets on a 1 year $1.3 million deal. For a defense longing for a pass rush, why not make him an offer, especially when his services will not likely be in high demand? Then again, I could see him stepping away from the game.
Verdict: Go: Offer 1 year, $1 million, if he wants to return, I just don't see it happening though.
DE Tim Ward (ERFA)
Basically, the last defensive lineman on the team. After two years in Kansas City, the Jets claimed him off waivers. I do like his size, length, and motor, but he's never shown an ability to consistently rush the passer, not even while playing college at Old Dominion. He played 11 games for the Jets, seeing the field on 25 percent of the defensive snaps, and recording 5 solo tackles and 2 passes defensed. He can have one more year to figure things out.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $0.75 million
DE Kyle Phillips (RFA)
His specialty is stopping the run. He'll never be a pass rusher but for a defense that was porous against the run, Phillips was a welcome addition in the second half of the season.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $2 million.
LB Jarrad Davis
The first free agent signing of this offseason turned out to be the worst. He was more productive for the Jets when he missed the first 6 games of the season due to injury. He took terrible angles against the run, could not rush the passer, and those opposing team's fruitful screens, well they often came at the expense of #52.
Verdict: Go. Far far away.
LB Del'Shawn Phillips
Special teams, nothing more, nothing less. 11 tackles in 17 games.
Verdict: Go.
CB Javelin Guidry (ERFA)
One of those polarizing players that people seem to either love or hate. In a pinch, he's a nice fill in. He allowed 28 catches on 39 targets for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns. He can stay as a backup, but hopefully, he will not be counted on.
Verdict: Stay. 1 year, $1 million
S LaMarcus Joyner
We all know that when Carl Lawson tore his Achilles on that fateful day on the Green Bay Packers practice field, the Jets defense suffered a blow they were never going to recover from. But one of the biggest hits this defense took that few people talk about is LaMarcus Joyner going down for the season in the first half of Game 1 in Charlotte. His coverage and tackling skills were sorely missed and were a big reason this defense finished 32nd overall.
Verdict: Keep. 1 year, $2.5 million. I hope LaMarcus is content to take a 1 year prove it deal. I would offer him basically the same contract again and see if he bites.
S Marcus Maye
A lot of Jets fans have been talking online about the team needs to play their own players. Well, Joe Douglas isn't going to be as quick to pay the players who (1) he didn't draft, (2) don't play a valued position, (3) had a DUI and left the scene, (4) tore his Achilles. And in truth, Maye wasn't killing it anyway. He had allowed 240 yards in pass coverage in just six games, and had already missed six tackles.
Verdict: Go. Start over at starting safety. One draft pick and one free agent.
S Sharron Neasman
12 tackles in 11 games. Most of his playing time came in Week 4 and 5 vs Tennessee and Atlanta and then he didn't see the filed too much after that. Practice squad at best.
Verdict: Go. If he will take 750k or so, as the 5th safety, we can have a conversation.
S Elijah Riley (ERFA)
A lot was asked from Elijah after every safety seemed to go down with a season-ending injury. He recorded 23 tackles in 7 games. He showed he can hit, but his blown coverage against Tampa Bay in Week 17 was horrible. If he's your 4th safety, ok. But he simply can't be trusted with extensive playing time.
Verdict: Go. Maybe I'd offer him a million dollars for a year, but I'd rather try some new blood.
K Eddy Piniero
Steady Eddy! 8 for 8 on field goals and 9 for 10 on extra points, and that 1 miss was blocked. May we never think of Alex Kessman again.
Verdict: Keep: 1 year 1 million dollars is a slight raise from his current contract, and I would still bring in another kicker for competition.
In summary, we spent $25 million, and before any contract restructuring, that leaves $45 million. Factor in about $15 million to sign the draft class, and that leaves us $30 million to spend in outside free agency.
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