The New York Jets have had one heck of a first wave of free agency. The next wave will do a lot to determine specifics with draft strategy next month.
This has been fun so far, hasn’t itNew York Jetsfans? Mike Maccagnan has been working hard to improve this football team. OK maybe he has also been working hard to save his job, but it has been good work so far.
The Jets are better than they were when the season ended. You could argue that they are significantly better. FromKelechi Osemele, toLe’Veon Belland all the other moves they have made, it has been a successful off-season so far.
Who cares aboutAnthony Barranyway? Anthony who?
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We know the value of the guys they signed, especially Le’Veon Bell. But it’s not over. There still is work to be done.
There are two glaring areas that the Jets haven’t addressed yet; center and edge rusher.
Jonotthan Harrisonis a nice backup, I waspleasedthat they brought him back. But, not a starting center.
If the Jets go into next season with Harrison as the starter they have made a big mistake.
But for some reason they werebarely involvedon the two big free agent centers,Mitch MorseandMatt Paradis.
As far as the edge rusher goes, everyone knows that it’s still a gaping hole. The Jets need to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis. Period.
Justin Houstonis still languishing on the vine. He will be 30 years old but he did post nine sacks in twelve games last season. His 22 sack season of 2014 isn’t THAT long ago.
OK it is a few years ago, but he is still productive. A reasonable contract can probably be had after being on the market this long.
Which leads us to the point. The next few weeks are going to really tell the story of what’s going to happen in the draft.
There is a center out there in the draft that could be a day one starter, and that isGarrett Bradburyfrom N.C. State. He had a big-time combine and gotmy attentionas well as many others.Daniel Jeremiahgave him a high rating andConnor Rogersof Bleacher Report believes in him as well.
There are players out there likeJosh Sittonavailable.John Sullivanis another. Sullivan is getting older and Sitton hasn’t played much center. Can they really be counted on?
Maybe the Jets trade down out of their pick and take Bradbury? If they end up signing an edge rusher, this will give us a look into that possibility.
But if the Jets stay away from Justin Houston and others, that tells us a different story. That likely tells us that the Jets stay at number three and look for a lineman later on in the draft.
Or it becomes even clearer if they take a run at Sullivan or Sitton.
One thing is clear, the next few weeks will tell the story.
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