Cap Cut Candidate: Should the Jets move on from RG Brian Winters?

Jets Wire evaluates whether or not the Jets should keep Brian Winters this offseason.

Before free agency kicks off in March, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have some decisions to make on players already at One Jets Drive.

Along with New York’s 32 impending free agents, there are a handful of players who could be shown the door in an effort to free up salary cap space. The Jets have $53 million to spend right now, according to Spotrac. That number could grow exponentially if Douglas parts ways with players eating up a large chunk of Gang Green’s payroll.

Among those who are a candidate to become a cap casualty is right guard Brian Winters. The 28-year-old offensive lineman is as tough as they come, but has dealt with numerous injuries the past couple of seasons. Should he be granted another season in the Big Apple to see if he can avoid the injury bug? Let’s evaluate the situation.

Pros of keeping him

Winters is a very good right guard when he is healthy. He is equally adept at both run and pass blocking and is as tough as any offensive lineman in the NFL.

You can’t put a price on the intangibles that Winters brings to the table. He has the utmost respect of everyone in the locker room and his leadership has had a profound impact on the culture at One Jets Drive trending in the right direction.

Cons of keeping him

There is no doubt that Winters’ injury history is weighing heavily on the minds of Douglas and company when it comes to deciding if he is worth keeping for another season. Winters has been placed on season-ending injured reserve the last two seasons, leaving the Jets with a major hole on their offensive line.

If New York cuts Winters before June 1, it can save $7.2 million without inheriting any dead cap money. That could prompt Douglas to part ways with him and use the savings to sign a right guard with a cleaner bill of health.

The verdict

This one is tough to call. Winters only has one year left on his contract and would more than likely be a solid contributor if he can remain healthy.

With that being said, Winters’ health will likely prevent a return to the Jets in 2020. The fact of the matter is New York cannot afford to run the risk of a starting offensive lineman succumbing to injury in the middle of a season for the third time in as many years.

It’s not going to be an easy decision, but we’re going to predict that the Jets will move in different direction at right guard this offseason.

6 wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at six wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

While the Jets are considering bringing Robby Anderson back, there’s a good chance the Temple product will sign a lucrative contract elsewhere.

Anderson could definitely flourish as a No. 2 wide receiver, but he’s going want to be paid for more than that. The Jets might not have the financial flexibility to make that work.

Anderson has developed into one of the better deep-threat receivers in the NFL, but his growth as a player goes beyond that. He added more to his route tree under Adam Gase and seems closer to becoming a complete receiver. Still, the Jets haven’t been able to maintain much offensive success with Anderson in the fold.

Over the past two seasons, the Jets have dealt with a depleted wide receiver corps that has put Anderson and now Jamison Crowder at the forefront. With the team’s No. 1 priority being to surround Sam Darnold with a capable supporting cast, it could mean the Jets look at other options beyond Anderson to improve their offense.

With that being said, here are six wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency.

Amari Cooper

While Amari Cooper is fully expected to be transition tagged as the Cowboys try to work out a long-term deal with Dak Prescott, he could still hit the open market.

The former No. 4 overall pick would be perhaps the most sought after receiver in that case. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cooper has 357 career receptions for 5,097 yards and 33 touchdowns. Cooper will be just 26 years old in June and he’s coming off a season in which he caught 79 passes for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cooper is a No. 1 wide receiver and will be paid as such if Dallas allows him to become a free agent just a season and a half after acquiring him for a first-round pick. If that happens, he would be the perfect weapon for Darnold. Of course, he would also be a costly one for a Jets team that doesn’t have as much cap space as in years past.

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4 left guards the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four left guards the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

When the Jets traded for Kelechi Osemele last offseason, it looked like they were getting their starting left guard for the next two seasons.

Instead, Osemele lasted half a season with New York, suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery and led to his release in late October. That left Alex Lewis and Tom Compton to man the position from November on — a duo that was not exactly up to snuff.

Joe Douglas now has a chance to right the Jets’ wrongs at left guard in free agency. There are plenty of intriguing options available on the open market, including a big fish that has the potential to change New York’s entire look in the trenches.

With that being said, here are four left guards the Jets should target in free agency.

Joe Thuney

New York’s pursuit of a new left guard begins with Thuney. A former third-round pick out of NC State in 2016, he has become one of football’s elite offensive linemen, earning second-team All-Pro honors last season.

Thuney has not only established himself as a reliable run and pass blocker, but as a durable option on the line as well, not missing a single game since getting drafted. Thuney’s 64 career starts have afforded him ample experience early in his career and at only 27-years-old, he still has a lot of room to grow.

Thuney comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s safe to assume Douglas is willing to meet it considering the need to improve in the trenches. Expect New York’s first-year general manager to do whatever it takes to steal him away from New England.

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Cap Cut Candidate: Should the Jets move on from CB Darryl Roberts?

Jets Wire breaks down why Darryl Roberts is a likely salary cap casualty this offseason.

Before free agency kicks off in March, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have some decisions to make on players already at One Jets Drive.

Among those who are a candidate to become a cap casualty is cornerback Darryl Roberts. After re-upping with the Jets last offseason, Roberts was one of New York’s worst cornerbacks in 2019. Should he be granted another season in the Big Apple to get back on track? Let’s evaluate the situation.

Pros of keeping

The argument in favor of keeping Roberts is extremely similar to the argument to hang onto Trumaine Johnson for another season. Parting ways with Roberts is not going to help an already underwhelming cornerback unit which features three impending free agents in Brian Poole, Maurice Canady and Arthur Maulet.

The Jets gave Roberts a three-year extension for a reason. Yes, the old regime handed out that deal, but a glance on Roberts’ film prior to 2019 shows a player who has the potential to be a solid contributor if he can put all of the pieces together.

Cons of keeping him

Roberts wasn’t just bad in 2019. He was downright pitiful.

Why would the Jets keep a player who performed so poorly for another year? It’s hard to see Douglas hanging onto Roberts considering he did not give an extension to, especially when he can save New York a decent amount of money by cutting him.

Roberts is owed $5 million next season. If the Jets cut him before June 1, they save $5.8 million and do not inherit any dead cap. With those numbers taken into account, this becomes an easy decision for Douglas and company.

The verdict

It’s hard to see any situation where Roberts is on New York’s roster past June 1. Douglas has the opportunity to part ways with a player who was dead weight last season and spend that money on a free agent corner who better fits defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ scheme.

It’s safe to assume Douglas will take that opportunity. Do not expect Roberts back in the green and white in 2020.

4 centers the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four centers the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

To say the Jets got next to nothing out of their centers in 2019 would be an understatement.

Ryan Kalil was a massive disappointment after coming out of retirement to join the team in August. Once he landed on season-ending injured reserve, Jonotthan Harrison took over and things did not get much better.

New York missed out on two top-notch free agent centers last offseason in Matt Paradis and Mitch Morse. Don’t expect Gang Green to miss on a top free agent center again this offseason, as first-year general manager Joe Douglas is placing a heavy emphasis on improving the offensive line.

Which centers could the Jets potentially target in free agency? Let’s take a look.

Connor McGovern

McGovern did an excellent job taking over for Paradis in 2019, giving the Broncos another reliable player at the position following the veteran’s departure in free agency.

A former fifth-round pick in 2016, McGovern is only 26 and has a lot of good football ahead of him. He also has plenty of experience and positional versatility, as he was Denver’s starting right guard before shifting over to center. He should be at the top of New York’s wish list at the position come March.

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Cap Cut Candidate: Should Jets move on from CB Trumaine Johnson?

Should the Jets keep Trumaine Johnson for another season? Jets Wire says no way.

Before free agency kicks off in March, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have some decisions to make on players already at One Jets Drive.

Among those who are a candidate to become a cap casualty is cornerback Trumaine Johnson. After signing a massive five-year, $72.5 million with the Jets in 2018, Johnson has been nothing short of a disappointment in his time with the team. Should he be granted another season to figure things out? Let’s evaluate the situation.

Pros of keeping him

The Jets are in bad shape at cornerback. Brian Poole is set to hit free agency and there is no guarantee he returns to the Big Apple next season. Darryl Roberts was awful in 2019 and is also a candidate to get cut. If Johnson is let go, that leaves New York with Bless Austin, Kyron Brown and Nate Hairston. Maurice Canady and Arthur Maulet are set to hit the open market.

Yes, Johnson has underperformed since joining the Jets. However, there is a reason why he was once the best cornerbacks in football. The 30-year-old has lost a step the last couple of years, but who is to say he can’t bounce back and put together a productive 2020 season? He did look good in training camp last summer before injuring his hamstring, after all.

Cornerback is New York’s weakest position group at this juncture. Why not give Johnson one last shot to get it right?

Cons of keeping him

There is really no point in keeping Johnson at his current salary. New York owes him $11 million next season. Johnson is not worth that number considering how he has performed the last two seasons.

If the Jets release Johnson before June 1, they would absorb $12 million in dead cap, but free up $3 million in cap space. That would allow Douglas to go out and sign a corner to replace him in free agency.

Not only does cutting Johnson make sense from a financial standpoint, but from a schematic point of view as well. Johnson found himself in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ doghouse before landing on injured reserve. With the Jets looking to get younger, why would they keep an underperforming and overpaid veteran around?

The verdict

The argument that New York’s cornerback room would become even more of a mess without Johnson could give reason to believe he is worth keeping around for another year, but do not be fooled by this line of thinking.

Keeping Johnson does not solve anything. Just because he has a history of elite production does not mean he is magically going to return to that level of play. The Jets should not keep Johnson. Period.

The bottom line is, New York is better off without its 30-year-old, $72.5 million dollar man on the roster. It’s time to move on from arguably the worst free agent signing in franchise history.

The 5 biggest free agent successes in Jets history

The Jets Wire takes a look at the five biggest free agent successes in New York Jets’ franchise history.

The Jets have been known for making poor decisions and having free agency decisions blow up in their face. Still, New York deserves credit for its good free agent signings over the years.

Whether it was signing an undrafted free agent that turned into a consistent starter or signing a player who would eventually build a Hall of Fame career with the team, these moves go down as some of the most successful in franchise history.

With that being said and free agency right around the corner, here are five of New York’s biggest free-agent successes.

Curtis Martin

Not only is Curtis Martin the greatest free agent signing in franchise history, but he is one of the best players to ever play for the Jets.

Martin inked a six-year, $36 million contract with the Jets back in 1998. He was one of the best players at his position at the time. He was acquired when the Bill Parcells-led Jets signed him away from the Patriots, sending New England two draft choices in return.

Martin rushed for a franchise-high 10,302 yards and 58 touchdowns in 123 career starts for the Jets. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 and was a two-time first-team All-Pro with the Jets in 2001 and 2004.

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The 5 biggest free agent busts in Jets history

Jets Wire breaks down the five biggest busts in Jets history.

The Jets have earned some notoriety for their poor decisions in the NFL draft over the years, but some of the moves the team has made in free agency aren’t much better.

Whether it was a signing that did not work out due to injury or simply underwhelming play, these moves go down as some of the worst in franchise history. With that being said and free agency right around the corner, here are five of New York’s biggest free agent busts.

Trumaine Johnson

When the Jets inked Trumaine Johnson to a massive five-year, $72.5 million contract in March 2018, they thought they were getting a top-flight corner entering his prime.

Instead, Johnson has been a massive disappointment. He was benched in the middle of last season before landing on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury in November. Johnson was not much better in his first season with the team, struggling to keep up with receivers who shouldn’t have had any chance to beat him down the field.

After only two seasons with New York, Johnson is likely headed out the door. All things considered, he could go down as the biggest free agency bust in franchise history when it’s all said and done.

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Jets among Top 10 in projected Top 51 cap space

The Jets are in good shape from a financial perspective entering free agency.

In what seems to be a recurring theme at One Jets Drive, New York will have plenty of money at its disposal once free agency kicks off in March.

The Jets rank 10th in projected Top 51 salary cap space with $55 million, according to Spotrac. That’s not nearly as much cap space as New York had entering free agency last year ($89.9 million), but it is still a hefty number for first-year general manager Joe Douglas to work with.

Last season, Mike Maccagnan spent most of Gang Green’s cap room on running back Le’Veon Bell ($52.5 million) and C.J. Mosley ($85 million). Douglas won’t be able to hand out massive deals like that this offseason, but he still has plenty of money to remain competitive for New York’s top free agent targets.

Patriots offensive lineman Joe Thuney figures to be at the top of Douglas’ wish list considering New York’s need for help on the line. Early reports indicate the Jets will push hard to secure Thuney’s signature, but it’s going to take a decent amount of cash to get the 27-year-old to leave New England for a division rival.

Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper also stands as a potential target for the Jets. Dallas is likely using its franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, making Cooper all but certain to hit the open market. However, Cooper comes with a hefty price tag. According to Spotrac, the Alabama product is set to earn a contract near an average annual value of $20 million. If Douglas wants to add Cooper to the mix, he’ll have to pony up and make an offer that will take up a large chunk of Gang Green’s payroll.

Before Douglas and company can worry about setting up New York’s free agency big board, they will have some in-house decisions to make. Thirty-two Jets are set to hit free agency, with wide receiver Robby Anderson being the most expensive of the group. How Douglas elects to spend when re-signing players will directly impact how much money the Jets have to spend once free agency begins. Of course, there will also be some cap causalities as well.

Will New York enter free agency with $55 million to spend? Probably not. Either way, that number is certainly a good place to start.

Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with G Tom Compton?

Should the Jets bring back Tom Compton for another season? Jets Wire evaluates the situation in its latest free agent profile?

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans to target in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 32 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2020, while it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep others around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job.

Tom Compton signed with the Jets in free agency as offensive line depth, but found himself in the starting lineup by season’s end due to a rash of injuries that plagued the unit throughout the year. Does Compton’s performance in the second half of the season warrant a return in 2020? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

Pros of keeping him

You could make the case that Compton is the ideal reserve offensive lineman. He has experience as a starter and can play anywhere on the interior of the line.

Compton isn’t the most impressive mauler in the trenches, but he performs well enough to open up holes for running backs to scamper through more often than not. That could be enough to tempt Douglas into bringing the 30-year-old back next season.

Cons of keeping him

Considering the physical toll playing in the trenches takes on an offensive lineman, Compton’s age will play a role in Douglas’ decision this offseason. Compton’s durability has not been in question throughout his career, but he did suffer an injury in December that landed him on injured reserve. Considering he is getting up there in years, Compton’s mileage is certainly worth considering.

The presence of Alex Lewis complicates matters as well. Lewis is set to hit free agency, he is Douglas’ guy, while Compton was a Mike Maccagnan holdover. Douglas will likely have to pick between the two and Lewis has a major leg up. That makes Compton’s future in the Big Apple rather murky.

The verdict

Compton has a decent case to remain with the Jets, but odds are Douglas opts to bring back Lewis instead of the veteran interior lineman. Lewis is younger and has a connection with New York’s general manager. Compton is nearing the wrong side of 30 and could be done without.