Tuesday, March 10, 2015

NYJ Free Agency Analysis

As we're only minutes away from the official start of the new NFL season, and more importantly free agency, we're going to take the time to analyze the current suitors to land in NY with the Jets next season. Let's start with players who were talked to have Jets fans and FO interest, but have already landed or reportedly decided where they will land:

Brian Hoyer (QB)More competition, but would have served no real upgrade. Agrees to sign with HOU.
Ryan Mallett (QB): Would've been nice competition for Geno, but stays in HOU with 3yr/$14M contract.
Josh McCown (QB)Same as Hoyer. Lands overpaid 3yr/$14M contract with CLE.
Frank Gore (RB): We're looking for speed in the backfield and Ivory already provides plenty of underrated power to it. After getting cold feet with PHI he reportedly agrees to sign in IND, but who knows at this point.
Shane Vereen (RB): Versatile back who can add a new dimension to the field with his receiving abilities. Agrees to contract with NYG.
Dez Bryant (WR)For every WR talked about I will simply reason by saying Brandon Marshall from here on. Franchise tagged by DAL.
Randall Cobb (WR): Brandon Marshall. Cobb stays in GB for 4yr/$40M contract.
Jeremy Maclin (WR)Brandon Marshall. Maclin reportedly agrees to a reunion with Andy Reid in KC.
Torrey Smith (WR): Brandon Marshall. Smith officially signs in SF.
Demaryius Thomas (WR): Brandon Marshall. Franchise Tagged by DEN.
Jermy Parnell (OT): Would have been great depth signing and maybe progressed to starter over Giacomini or taken over after D'Brick, but lands in JAX for 5yr/$32M.
Orlando Franklin (OG): Upset we missed out on this guy. Could have been a nice upgrade from our mediocre OGs last year. Agrees to sign with SD 5yr/$36.5M.
Ndamukong Suh (DT): Was a long shot to begin with. Lands 6yr/$114M contract with MIA.
Davon House (CB): Young guy who could have panned out nicely. Sign with JAX for 4yr/$25M contract.
Kareem Jackson (CB): Another nice CB who would've fit our scheme, but re-signs with HOU 4yr/$34M.
Bryon Maxwell (CB): Gained a lot of interest, but he wouldn't have exactly fit our scheme. Goes to PHI under 6yr/$64M contract.
Tyvon Branch (SS): We need a FS, but could have possibly been a nice depth signing. Goes to KC for 1yr/$4M.
Devin McCourty (FS): Was my crush for this years FA. We need FS help badly and McCourty could have helped tremendously. Can't win them all; stays in NE with 5yr/$47.5M contract.

***The players who have agreed to sign with other teams are subject to change since no contracts are official or allowed to be signed until 4PM ET March 10th.

Potential NYJ Free Agents and Signings:

Bilal Powell (RB): Underrated back in my opinion. Never fumbles the ball, is great on screens, good vision, blocks well, and runs hard. Re-signed earlier today, but we still need some speed in the backfield.
Percy Harvin (WR): Harvin will most likely be kept under contract until March 19th. After that point the Jets 6th round pick used to trade for Harvin will become a 4th round pick. If he restructures I can imagine them possibly keeping him, but it just doesn't seem likely he'll be a Jet next year. Officially released by the Jets. Would be a great fit in PHI or OAK.
James Carpenter (OG): Coming over from SEA the Jets added a nice depth signing to their offensive line who can compete for a starting job.
Damon Harrison (DT): Huge part of our D-Line. NYJ put a tender on him and hopefully we can match even if another team offers to him.
David Harris (MLB): The core of our defense and still has some gas left in him at 31 years old. Re-signed to 3yr/$21.5M contract. Glad we kept him even though we may have overpaid a little to do it.
Jaiquawn Jarrett (FS): Depth signing and potential starter. Showed flashes last year. Received a tender.

Alright so now that those are out of the way let's look at some remaining possibilities:

Quarterbacks:

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Could potentially be cut by HOU after the signing of Mallett and the agreement to bring in Hoyer. Fitzmagic had his best season(s) under Jets OC Chan Gailey with the Bills from 2010-2012. He'd be a great competition for Geno and is the only potential starter I see to beat him out for next season (unless a trade is made). If he gets cut he'd be a great signing for NYJ.
Jake Locker: Just announced retirement.
Matt Moore: Moore is a guy I actually like. He's not scared to sling the ball deep and seems confident with the ball in his hands. He'd be interesting competition for Geno and would be a viable backup who can win games for us. If Fitzpatrick isn't cut he'd be my go to in this QB pool.
Christian Ponder: I'd put him below Locker on my list. He's just not a serviceable QB and probably couldn't compete for the starting job. He'd be a desperation signing at most.

Runningbacks:

Reggie Bush: Adds the speed, versatility and hands we would want in the backfield. If we missed out on Spiller, Bush should be the next target. 
Justin Forsett: I've seen some people talk about him and although he is a great RB, I still think we need some speed to add to the group. He's an every down back so they'll have to pay up for him and I don't think the Jets are ready to do that.
DeMarco Murray: Same as Forsett, but I think Murray is the more complete back. Once again they'll have to pay up especially with the season he just had and I don't think the Jets will want to.
CJ Spiller: Had his best season (1600+ total yards, 8 TDs) under current Jets OC Chan Gailey in 2012. Adds a huge amount of speed to match with Ivory's power and now you've got the right combination. Re-signing Powell might draw us away from Spiller, but he'd still be a great add for reasonable mid-tier money.

Other Possibilities:

Roy Helu
Darren McFadden
Jacquizz Rodgers
Antone Smith

Wide Receivers:

After the trade for Marshall what's left of the top tier WR pool will not be discussed, only depth signings are neecessary.

Kenny Britt: Britt hasn't been the same in years. He still sometimes shows flashes of the ghost that was Kenny Britt, but he's far too inconsistent to even be compared to that guy. Would offer depth, but not much more than that.
Stevie Johnson: Along with Fitzpatrick and Spiller, their best years came under Jets OC Chan Gailey. Would offer great depth and would be able to step up in the event of an injury. Could also be signed for a reasonable amount.
Michael Crabtree: Has shown flashes of greatness, but will probably expect too much money for what he'll provide. For a reasonable pricetag it may be possible, but he'll probably go somewhere as a starter (like MIN).

Other Possibilities:

Miles Austin
Jason Avant
Jarrett Boykin
Andre Holmes
Jermaine Kearse
Lance Moore
Hakeem Nicks
Cecil Shorts
Nate Washington

Tight Ends:

Amaro will service as our receiving and every down TE. Blocking TEs will most likely be the only signings at this position for the Jets.

Offensive Lineman:

Jake Long (OT): Injury prone, but plays very well when healthy. He wouldn't be cheap, but if he avoids injury he can be well worth it.
MIke Iupati (OG): Officially signed with Arizona.
Clint Bolin (OG): Played  well for CIN last year and is only 26.

Other Possiblities:

Joseph Barksdale
Byron Bell
Justin Blalock
Rob Sims

Defensive Lineman/Linebackers:

With the resigning of David Harris and the tender places on Damon Harrison, all signings in this area with be to provide depth. One of our biggest priorities should be to get Wilkerson under a longer contract before next season.

Defensive Backs:

Darrelle Revis (CB): We all know we're going to have to pay up big time for him if we want him to come back. He's expressed interest in returning and NYJ has expressed interest in having him back. According to reports it's down to NYJ and NE for him. Having him back would be great, but so would be signing two solid corners for roughly the same price. That being said I don't think I'd love or hate either possibility, he's one of the greatest CBs ever and we are desperately trying to improve our secondary. Plus I'd be able to recycle my old jersey.
Antonio Cromartie (CB): Along with Revis, he has also expressed interest in coming back and reuniting while coach Bowles in NY. We have the money to have both back next year, but it comes a very large pricetag. If we missed out on Revis, I'd be more than satisfied welcoming Cro back on a reasonable contract. 
Chris Culliver (CB): We have been linked to having serious interest in him. After missing most of the 2013 season with an ACL tear, he came back this year and played well. 
Tashaun Gipson (FS): Received a tender from the Browns, but would be well worth it to pay it up. At only 25 years old Gipson is proving he's one of the best FS in the league with 6 INTs last season. It's unlikely that the Jets would want to pay up the tender along with a hefty contract, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities.
Rahim Moore (FS): Much more likely than Gipson, and also 25 years old is Rahim Moore. After being injured, he came back and played well. We're in desperate need of improvement in our secondary and Moore would be a solid addition to play alongside Pryor.

Other Possiblities:

Walter Thurmond III (CB)
Sterling Moore (CB)
Buster Skrine (CB)

Da'Norris Searcy (S)
Louis Delmas (S)


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