Jets GM Joe Douglas has shown that he thinks the three most important things for rebuilding a football team are experience, leadership and a well-rounded offensive line. He signed seasoned veterans Frank Gore and Joe Flacco in free agency, drafted five college captains and brought in eight offensive linemen this offseason to upgrade protection for Sam Darnold.
Now, as the season draws closer despite the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, the Jets should look at bringing in another free agent that meets all three of Douglas’ requisites in an attempt to fortify and stabilize the team. That would be Kelvin Beachum.
Much like the signings of Gore and Flacco, bringing Beachum back would be less about his ability to start and more about his ability to provide cohesiveness within a unit that hasn’t yet practiced together. He could also provide mentorship for young and new players. Beachum started all but three games in the past three seasons for the Jets and could be an immediate fill-in starter if needed, too.
Half of the eight linemen Douglas signed or drafted have the ability to start one of the five positions on the offensive line. All of that new blood is good, normally, but can be problematic if they lose any practice time together. Free agent acquisition George Fant and 11th overall pick Mekhi Becton will be the Jets’ starting tackles in 2020, but Beachum’s presence would ensure the continuity and integrity of the offensive line remains intact with so many new pieces in place.
Beachum – who turns 31 in June – would also be a great teacher for Becton given his eight years and 99 starts of experience. Becton is a very exciting but raw prospect and could use help from someone who’s played in Adam Gase’s offense and blocked for Darnold in the past.
Beachum is nowhere near the size of Becton – Beachum is shorter at 6-foot-3 and lighter at 308 pounds – but he was actually one of the Jets’ best blocking linemen in 2019. His 94.2 percent block win-rate ranked third in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information and Beachum has been keeping up with his offseason workouts as well despite the pandemic. He works out every day for over two hours, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, and simulates offseason conditioning workouts with 20 consecutive 40-yard dashes.
He’s in shape, he knows the team and the offense and he’d ensure competency at either tackle spot should Fant or Becton miss time. Beachum would also arguably be one of the best backup linemen in the NFL, which the Jets and Douglas know is important after watching their entire line crumble due to various ailments in 2019. In addition to mentoring Becton, Beachum could also further help the development of 2019 third-round pick Chuma Edoga.
The Jets shouldn’t leave any stone unturned in their quest to build a winning roster. Beachum could be the final piece of the offensive line puzzle that keeps the Jets from cracking like they have the past few seasons.