Tag: New York Jets Offensive Line

Jets offensive line ranked in bottom half by PFF

Where do you see the Jets O-line among the teams?

There’s obvious excitement in the air surrounding the new-look offense for the New York Jets now that Aaron Rodgers is behind center. But to get that offense moving, the Jets will hope for better luck from their offensive line than they had in 2022.

Injuries crushed the unit last season, including Mekhi Becton’s knee injury during training camp and Alijah Vera-Tucker’s triceps injury in the middle of the season. The Jets look much healthier this time up front and that could go a long way toward helping the Jets make a run this season.

However, in the eyes of Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson, the Jets will have to overcome a unit that is among the bottom ten of the league. In his recent rankings of the 32 offensive line groups, the Jets come in at No. 23.

Projected Starting Lineup

LT Duane Brown
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Joe Tippmann
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker
RT Mekhi Becton – Missed all of 2022 injured

  • The tackles are the biggest concern for the Jets. Duane Brown is now almost 38 and visibly declining, while Mekhi Becton has played fewer than 800 snaps in three years.
  • Aaron Rodgers‘ arrival could immeasurably help the overall performance of the line. He is as good at manipulating a pocket as any quarterback in the game.
Best Player: Alijah Vera-Tucker
  • Alijah Vera-Tucker, unfortunately, played in just seven games last season, but he has shown elite play inside at guard. He allowed only one sack across 276 pass-blocking snaps.

The line was definitely concerning last season, both in terms of injuries and play on the field. But with better quarterback play, the shortcomings could be masked somewhat as the Jets could be more explosive on offense. It may not be ideal to have a 38-year-old that dealt with shoulder issues at left tackle, but that gets balanced out a little by having a potential breakout star in Vera-Tucker. This is another chance for the Jets to prove people wrong.

Depth chart update: A look at the Jets’ new offensive line

Jets’ updated offensive line depth chart after the first wave of free agency includes George Fant and Connor McGovern.

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.