Jets' Joe Douglas Reconstructs Offensive Line, But Glaring Offseason Need Remains
Now that their protection plan is in place sooner than expected, it's time for the New York Jets to further arm their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.
Jets' general manager Joe Douglas has spent the first days of the NFL's new league year on overhauling the team's patchwork offensive line.
"It's a lot of pieces, but at the same time, we just had some unbelievable meetings with our coaching staff, free agent meetings. There are three different avenues that we can do this, right? Trade, free agency, and draft," said Douglas during a media availability at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
As it turns out, Douglas formed a probable starting five through two signings and one trade. After adding former Baltimore Ravens teammates —left guard John Simpson (free agent) and right tackle Morgan Moses (trade)— the Jets filled the void at left tackle by signing longtime Dallas Cowboys' bookend Tyron Smith.
With 2023 second-round draft pick Joe Tippmann slotted in at center, Moses's arrival allows Alijah Vera-Tucker to kick inside and play right guard where the Jets view the former first-round draft pick as a potential All-Pro performer.
"The one thing we're going to do this year, we're not going to move AVT around. We're going to have a spot for him and leave him there for the season," said Douglas.
So, now that the five quarterback protectors have been identified, it's time to beef up the arsenal for 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets have two emerging stars in running back Breece Hall and receiver Garrett Wilson, but they lack proven assets further down the depth chart.
There is a glaring hole at WR2. Allen Lazard, who signed a four-year deal reportedly worth $44 million last offseason, grossly underperformed to the tune of a 46.9 catch percentage and a career-low 22.2 receiving yards per game. Behind Lazard, the Jets are currently constructed to rely upon a pair of undrafted second-year receivers. Xavier Gipson and Jason Brownlee combined for 26 receptions and 285 receiving yards in limited offensive snaps last year.
Clearly needing a difference maker, the Jets are reportedly bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers' WR2 Mike Williams for a visit this upcoming week. Williams, who is coming off an ACL tear, boasts a 15.6 career yards per catch average.
Cincinnati Bengals' veteran Tyler Boyd, who has two 1,000-yards receiving seasons on his resume, is still looking for a new team although the receiver pool is thinning quickly.
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When it comes to tight end, starter Tyler Conklin has been a reliable performer in the passing game, but the team lacks proven backups. While Conklin was the Jets' second-leading receiver each of the past two seasons, New York TE2 Jeremy Ruckert and TE3 Kenny Yeboah have a combined 21 career receptions and 223 receiving yards.
Tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, both old friends of Rodgers, are still available on the free agent market while more attractive options such as Hunter Henry, Gerald Everett and Austin Hooper have already signed.
The best route to acquiring an impactful tight end may be through the draft. It's unlikely that LSU receiver Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze lasts until New York's first-round selection. So, perhaps Georgia's Brock Bowers at No. 10 overall? The Jets, who do not own a second-round spot, will make their second pick at No. 72 overall.
Whether it's Williams, Boyd, or a plug-and-play draft pick, such as Bowers, Douglas's next move should be to secure a pass-catching playmaker to complement Hall and Wilson in the Rodgers-led offense.
