With the first wave of free agency over, Joe Douglas has found value in the trenches.
The Jets came into the offseason needing to desperately improve one of the NFL’s weakest offensive lines. After missing out on Jack Conklin and Graham Glasgow, Douglas handed out three-year contracts to George Fant, Alex Lewis and Connor McGovern.
As of now, Fant is the left tackle, Lewis is the left guard, McGovern is the center, Brian Winters is the right guard and Chuma Edoga is the right tackle. The Jets don’t have much depth beyond the starting five on the offensive line, but Jonotthan Harrison and Ben Braden are still on the roster.
Kelvin Beachum, Ryan Kalil and Brent Qvale are unrestricted free agents, while Tom Compton and Brandon Shell have signed with San Francisco and Seattle, respectively. With the Jets currently strapped for bodies, the depth chart will certainly be updated as free agency continues.
It looks as if Lewis and McGovern are the only starters that the Jets can officially pencil in for Week 1. McGovern can always shift ]to right guard if needed, while Harrison or a potential rookie starts at the center position. However, that decision harps on whether New York elects to release Brian Winters or re-structure his contract.
The Jets could also look at former Vikings’ guard Josh Kline or 49ers’ guard Mike Person, who are both former starters that each received their walking papers this week. Former Carolina Panthers guard Greg Van Roten has also been linked to the Jets.
It shouldn’t be assumed that Fant will be the Week 1 starter at left tackle. Former Eagles All-Pro OT Jason Peters is on the open market and could be had on a one-year deal as a holdover and a good stopgap option for a year or two until the Jets build the rest of the offensive line and find his replacement. Peters has only missed three games out of the 32 in the last two years. Regardless of age, he is still an upper-tier offensive tackle in the league.
The Jets could also take one of the top four offensive tackles in the first round of April’s draft, whether it’s with the 11th pick or the team elects to trade up or back. Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton or Georgia’s Andrew Thomas are all possibilities.
The Jets look to be high on Edoga even though he is a holdover from the previous regime. Either way, a mix of youth and steady-handed experience seems to be the Jets’ solution at tackle.
The current offensive line depth chart isn’t set in stone. Look for Douglas to keep making savvy moves that will benefit the Jets in the interior for the 2020 season and beyond as New York tries to protect its young quarterback.