It’s been nearly one week since the NFL’s legal tampering period began, and GM Joe Douglas has reshaped the New York Jets’ starting offensive line. However, that shouldn’t mean that he’s done adding to a position group that will go a long way toward dictating the offense’s overall success.
The Jets entered free agency with Joe Tippmann at center and Alijah Vera-Tucker, wherever needed, as members of their starting offensive line for 2024. That meant that there were still three spots to fill.
Douglas would sign free agent John Simpson to be the left guard. He then traded for Morgan Moses, who will be the Jets’ new right tackle. Then in a bit of a surprise, Douglas landed top free agent Tyron Smith to be the Jets’ left tackle.
As I wrote about recently, having the starting five in place gives the Jets quite a bit more flexibility in how they go about the offseason, particularly in the draft. No longer is drafting an offensive tackle at 10th overall an absolute must, although it still may be the prudent move.
Unfortunately, injuries happen in the NFL, as the Jets are very much aware of after their offensive line, in particular, dealt with constant movement due to missed time. In fact, the Jets utilized 13 different offensive line combinations last season due to injuries.
As good as Smith has been at left tackle throughout his career – he is a four-time All-Pro – he has dealt with injuries. Smith hasn’t played a full NFL season since 2015 and has missed 37 games over the last four years, as The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt noted.
Moses is also coming off a season in which he missed some time, playing 70 percent of Baltimore’s offensive snaps.
Although nowadays, many view the draft as an opportunity to fix some immediate positional issues, and while it does allow for that, ultimately, if done right, teams are addressing potential future needs and planning for what’s ahead. Ideally, teams should be selecting players based on who they believe they can become, not who that player is at the moment.
Even if Smith and Moses stay healthy for the 2024 season, both are 33 years old and, contractually speaking, only slated to be with the Jets for one season. Simpson is also a relatively short-term answer at left guard, signed to a two-year deal, but I’m guessing the Jets could get out of the contract after 2024 if they decide to do so.
On paper, things look good for the Jets’ offensive line, and hopefully, it remains that way. However, part of Douglas’ job description is preparing for things to go sideways. On the roster at guard, the Jets have the experienced Wes Schweitzer, along with Carter Warren at tackle, who the team is quite high on.
This also happens to be an absolutely loaded offensive line draft class, particularly at tackle. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager mentioned that he could see a whopping 12 offensive linemen taken in the first round. Daniel Jeremiah, meanwhile, has seven offensive tackles ranked in his top 22 overall prospects.
So there’s a decent chance, whether the Jets are picking at 10, whether they trade down, or when on the clock at pick 72, an offensive lineman may be the best available player on their board.
Addressing the offensive line was, without question, priority No. 1 for Douglas and the Jets this offseason. In less than a week, he has done that, but that doesn’t mean the job is done either.