New York Jets offensive line depth

Updated look at Jets’ offensive line depth chart after Brian Winters’ release

Jets Wire takes a look at New York’s updated offensive line depth chart, following the team’s release of Brian Winters.

The Jets’ decision to release Brian Winters was not surprising, though the timing was a bit.

Winters has long been viewed as a potential cap casualty, but New York indicated that it would give him an opportunity to compete for the starting right guard position this summer. After C.J. Mosley opted out of the 2020 NFL season, though, Avery Williamson’s roster spot became safer and Winters moved to the top of the list of salary-saving options.

Clearly, the Jets are comfortable with the team’s current depth on the offensive line. At the same time, the Jets were able to save $7.2 million by releasing Winters, freeing up cap space that can be rolled over to 2021 or used to help mitigate some of the team’s holes.

Winters’ departure opens up an opportunity for one of Joe Douglas’ offseason acquisitions — Greg Van Roten — to slide into the starting lineup. Van Roten started 11 games for the Panthers in 2019 before a toe injury prematurely ended his season. The Jets signed Van Roten to a three-year, $10.5 million deal back in March. He has the versatility to play either guard position or right tackle, but for now, he figures to be Winters’ replacement on the right side.

Staying on the right side, George Fant is expected to be the Jets’ starting right tackle. He will see some competition from swing tackle Chuma Edoga, but Fant’s experience and his contract should give him the upper-hand. Another offseason addition, Connor McGovern, will be the man in the middle for New York. He will be the Jets’ fourth attempt at replacing Nick Mangold since 2017. Some stability and consistency under center should pay dividends for Sam Darnold’s development.

New York re-signed Alex Lewis to be part of the offensive line rotation, but with Winters’ release, he’s assured a return to the starting lineup. Next to Lewis on his left will be Gang Green’s first-round pick, Mekhi Becton. Becton is expected to be a mainstay on Darnold’s blindside for years to come.

As for the rest of the depth chart, both Jonotthan Harrison and Josh Andrews have the positional flexibility to fill in at guard and center. The presence of these two veterans made Winters and his price-tag expendable. Another depth piece that New York remains excited about is Cameron Clark. A fourth-round pick out of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Clark figures to be New York’s long-term answer next to Becton. For now, his versatility on the left side gives the Jets some youth and comfortability.

Jared Hilbers, Conor McDermott and Ben Braden will endure a training camp battle, fighting for that 10th and final spot on New York’s o-line depth chart.

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.