Jets discover themselves in acquainted territory as draft nears

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A have a look at what’s occurring across the New York Jets:

1. Acquainted theme: After they’re on the clock with the seventh total choose within the draft on April 24, the Jets could possibly be confronted with the intriguing selection of a prolific pass-catching tight finish or a extremely expert deal with who would fill a obtrusive gap on their offensive line.

Sound acquainted?

A 12 months in the past, the pre-draft buzz surrounding the Jets targeted on Georgia tight finish Brock Bowers and a handful of highly-rated tackles. Positive sufficient, Bowers was on the board for the Jets, who had traded down one spot to eleventh, however they opted for Penn State left deal with Olu Fashanu — and instantly named him Tyron Smith‘s backup. Sure, backup.

Bowers, taken two picks later by the Las Vegas Raiders, went on to a record-setting rookie season (112 receptions for 1,194 yards). Fashanu changed the injured Smith at midseason and confirmed regular enchancment. Nobody is looking him “generational” like they’re Bowers, however the choose nonetheless is holding its worth as a result of he performs a premium place.

Now right here we go once more, with one other Nittany Lion within the dialog.

Penn State tight finish Tyler Warren is a possible top-10 choose, as is Missouri proper deal with Armand Membou. Each would fill wants. The Jets did not re-sign tight finish Tyler Conklin (Los Angeles Chargers) and proper deal with Morgan Moses (New England Patriots), and so they did not make any large strikes to interchange them. They added Stone Smartt and Chukwuma Okorafor, respectively, as bargain-bin free brokers.

In his newest mock draft, ESPN senior draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. picks Warren to the Jets.

“I went with Warren as a result of they handed on Bowers final 12 months, and I believed with Justin Fields, that may be any person that would actually create a nightmare for defensive coordinators,” Kiper stated. “I believed possibly you may discover a proper deal with down the road only a bit.

“Membou, he is tempting. I let you know, he is very tempting as a result of and he is a plug-and-play man, as Warren can be. You possibly can’t take ’em each. You must take one of many two. There is a fairly good probability each can be there at seven. … Membou or Warren, take your choose. I do not assume anyone might argue with both a kind of gamers.”

Warren made 104 receptions final season for 1,233 yards (11.9 common yards per catch), eight touchdowns and a formidable 6.7 yards-after-catch per reception. As a gamebreaker, he won’t be on the identical degree as Bowers, however he’d be an improve. The Jets’ tight ends averaged a league-low 8.1 yards per catch final season. Warren (6-foot-6, 256 kilos) is also a gradual blocker, and that may assist the Jets, who determine to be extra run-oriented groups with a dual-threat quarterback like Fields.

Kiper known as Warren a “very precious chess piece.” In the meantime, Membou (6-4, 332) is a highway grader with 30 profession begins who capped a superb season with a robust mix efficiency that included a 4.91-second time within the 40-yard sprint. His draft inventory is hovering. As Kiper stated, “He is pink sizzling proper now.”

You are most likely pondering, “Why take one other offensive lineman?”

Former normal supervisor Joe Douglas invested closely within the line — three first-round picks and one second rounder — however new coach Aaron Glenn comes from the Detroit Lions, the place they used robust line play as the inspiration for his or her turnaround.

There is not any clear-cut starter at proper deal with, so Membou, or maybe LSU’s Will Campbell, can be a consideration. Let the controversy start: Deal with or tight finish?

2. Nook coated: Of all their starting-lineup wants, the one addition that may be thought-about greater than a one-year stopgap is cornerback. The $23 million assure for Brandon Stephens is principally a two-year dedication. Fields did obtain a $30 million assure, however everyone knows the quarterback pay scale is totally different than the others.

Backside line, it will be a shock in the event that they use a excessive choose on a nook. Each different place is on the desk.

3. Unusual, however true: Within the widespread draft period (since 1967), the Jets by no means have picked a participant at No. 7 total. They’ve had 26 top-10 picks, with not less than one choose at each slot besides seven. In truth, it is the one vacant slot within the prime 18.

That ends this 12 months … in the event that they preserve the choose.

4. Sauce’s flip? Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr. grew to become the primary 2022 first-round choose to obtain a contract extension — a three-year, $90 million extension that resets the cornerback market. It contains $48 million assured at signing, and it ties him to the Texans by way of 2029.

Someplace, Sauce Gardner is smiling.

Gardner, drafted one spot after Stingley (third and fourth total) by the Jets, could make a case that he deserves to be the Subsequent Man Up.

He has accrued extra accolades than Stingley — 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr, two Professional Bowls and two All-Professional honors, in comparison with one Professional Bowl and one All-Professional for Stingley. From an analytics standpoint, Stingley charges the sting, as he has outperformed Gardner the final two seasons, primarily based on EPA/goal (NFL Subsequent Gen Stats), as the closest defender. It is price noting, nonetheless, that Gardner has performed in 48 out of 51 video games, in comparison with Stingley’s 37. Sturdiness issues.

Backside line, they’re each excellent corners. It is most likely protected to say that Gardner is looking for greater than $30 million per 12 months, and he is most likely seeking to safe the bag earlier than the beginning of the season.

He is as a result of make $5.3 million in 2025, plus an estimated $20 million in 2026 (fifth-year possibility). The Jets might attempt to slow-play the negotiations as a result of his cap cost will not spike till 2026, however the worth of is more likely to improve in the event that they wait.

5. Do you know? Each workforce nonetheless owns its first-round choose, which hasn’t occurred this near the draft since 1993, in keeping with ESPN Analysis. That 12 months, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs traded a first-round choose for Joe Montana 5 days earlier than the draft. This 12 months, no workforce has traded its first-rounder.

In case you are questioning, the final time the Jets did not make a first-round choose was 2005. On draft day, they traded out of the primary spherical for a bundle that introduced veteran tight finish Doug Jolley.

6. Q is due: It’s going to be fascinating to see how the workforce handles Quincy Williams‘ contract state of affairs.

The linebacker is getting into the ultimate 12 months of a three-year, $18 million deal, which he has outperformed. He was first workforce All-Professional in 2023 and adopted up with a strong season. His $6 million common per 12 months ranks thirty seventh amongst off-ball linebackers, per Over The Cap.

The Jets simply rewarded linebacker Jamien Sherwood with a three-year, $45 million contract on the eve of free company, so it will be solely pure for Williams to surprise, “What about me?” The earlier administration was open to extending him earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season; it is unclear if the brand new regime feels the identical manner.

7. Prepare: The Jets open their offseason program on April 7. By rule, groups with new coaches are allowed to begin two weeks sooner than the remainder.

8. Searching for a house: Aaron Rodgers is the one distinguished free agent from the 2024 Jets nonetheless on the lookout for a brand new workforce. All indicators level to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he spent six hours with them at their facility Friday. It is price noting the Steelers are on the Jets’ residence schedule, so a Rodgers return to MetLife Stadium is a definite chance.

Conklin hasn’t been linked to any groups, which is a shock when you think about he is had 170 catches over the previous three seasons. The Jets do not seem like an possibility except he is prepared to accept a backup-type contract.

9. You by no means know who’s watching: Large receiver Tyler Johnson, enjoying for the Los Angeles Rams, opened final season with 5 catches for a career-high 79 yards. He made an impression on the opposing defensive coordinator … Glenn, who signed Johnson as a free agent final week.

10. The Final Phrase: Warren wore No. 44 at Penn State due to John Riggins, the Corridor of Fame operating again. As Warren defined on the scouting mix, “I put on 44 as a result of once I was youthful my dad placed on John Riggins movie and stated, ‘That is how I would like you to run the ball.'”

Few will do not forget that Riggins starred for the Jets for 5 seasons earlier than going to Washington.