Joe Douglas did a lot in his first full offseason as the Jets’ general manager. He drafted well, signed free agents at important positions to smart deals and brought in experienced veterans to help mentor the team.
But of all his moves, signing center Connor McGovern in free agency was the best.
The Jets haven’t had a healthy, competent or skillful center since Nick Mangold. McGovern, though, will be the best since Mangold retired in 2016. He’s proven to be durable, versatile and adept as a blocker in only three seasons with the Broncos. McGovern started 31 of 32 games over the past two seasons, including all of the Bronco’s 1,013 snaps in 2019. He was one of 10 centers to reach the 1,000-snap mark. He also moved to center after his first two mediocre seasons came at right guard.
McGovern put together a fantastic first season at center. His 71.9 Pro Football Focus gade ranked 10th among centers this past season and his pass-blocking grade of 82.5 ranked fifth. McGovern also allowed only one sack in 2019, less than one pressure per game and also wasn’t penalized once.
Already a versatile lineman positionally, McGovern proved capable of playing in zone and man blocking schemes and was an adept run-blocker to go along with solid pass-blocking stats. The Broncos ranked 11th in Adjusted Line Yards, per Football Outsiders, and eighth in power success, the percentage of runs two yards or less on third or fourth down that resulted in a first down or touchdown. That added run blocking ability will go a long way for Le’Veon Bell.
One of the tenets of Douglas’ offseason decisions revolved around protecting Sam Darnold. McGovern figures to play a key role in ensuring that protection and Douglas rewarded him one of the biggest contracts of any Jets’ free-agent acquisition. Douglas spent prudently this offseason, but he splurged a bit on McGovern with a three-year, $27 million deal.
Though it wasn’t the biggest contract handed out, Douglas did give McGovern the most guaranteed money – $18 million – of any of his offseason signings. That alone speaks volumes about Douglas’ faith in McGovern, and he’ll be tasked with leading the Jets offensive line, which could have as many as four new starters in 2020.
The offensive line is the most important part of the Jets’ 2020 season. After a couple years of mediocrity, the Jets need the right protection to keep their offense alive throughout the season. Drafting Mekhi Becton and signing McGovern, George Fant, Greg Van Roten and re-signing Alex Lewis are tremendous moves by Douglas to remedy the past few seasons. A lot of that rides on McGovern, though, as the center and the anchor of the line. Luckily, he appears to be the right man for the job.