4 left guards the Jets should avoid in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four left guards Joe Douglas and company should steer clear of in free agency.

This offseason, the New York Jets are going to rebuild their offensive line.

Following a 2019 season that featured awful play in the trenches throughout the year, first-year general manager Joe Douglas is out to fill holes across New York’s line.

This year’s left guard market features some big-time names, which is good news for Douglas. There are also some players not worth touching with a 10-foot pole.

Who are they? Let’s take a look.

Mike Iupati

Iupati looked like he was done with how poorly he performed with the Cardinals in 2018. However, he bounced back with the Seahawks last season, earning himself Pro Bowl alternate consideration following his most productive season in a long time.

Iupati might seem like a nice short-term plug and play guard the Jets could use, but he is 33 and decline could be imminent. He has also dealt with back and knee injuries the last couple of years — arguably two of the most concerning injuries for any offensive lineman.

It wouldn’t hurt to give Iupati a look, but the Jets should make an effort to get a younger left guard with a cleaner bill of health as their next starter at the position.

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Potential Jets pick Mekhi Becton loves the ‘griminess’ of New York

University of Louisville offensive lineman Mekhi Becton loves the New York ‘griminess’ and would welcome being drafted by the Jets or Giants

You don’t have to sell Mekhi Becton on New York.

If the Jets or Giants take the University of Louisville offensive lineman with the 11th or 4th picks, respectively, he’ll fit right in.

“I just like how grimy you guys are,” Becton said when asked about a possible career in New York at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Just love the New York griminess.”

Becton has already met and interviewed with Joe Douglas and company in Indianapolis. The Jets are fully aware of what the 6-foot-7, 367-pound tackle could do for their offensive line.

If Sam Darnold is the future of the organization, the Jets are going to need to keep him upright. That starts in the trenches. Becton is a massive force on the left side with a rare blend of size and athleticism.

Not only would taking Becton with the 11th pick benefit Darnold’s development, but it would aid Le’Veon Bell, giving him someone to run behind after he saw statistical lows in 2019.

“Open the hole and run behind me,” Becton said. “I can get you to score a touchdown, pretty much. Just run behind me, you’re gonna score.”

The Louisville product is an athletic blocker with the size, length and skill to become a top offensive lineman in the NFL. Still, teams would like to see him shed some weight. Becton is already willing to do so, saying that he plans to get down to 350 pounds.

Someone like Becton would be welcomed with open arms in New York, and it sounds like he would reciprocate the love.

“I feel like I’m the most dominant tackle in the draft,” Becton said. “You wouldn’t go wrong taking me.”

Should Adam Gase really be selling continuity for Jets offense in 2020?

Adam Gase is preaching continuity as the reason for why the Jets offense can improve next season.

Adam Gase is preaching continuity as a reason to believe the Jets offense will improve in 2020, but that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

New York had one of the worst offenses in all of football last season. The Jets finished near the bottom in most major statistical categories, ranking 31st in points, 32nd in total yards, 29th in passing yards and 31st in rushing yards. However, Gase believes with the players and coaches in the program for a year now, they’ll be better off in the long run.

“Guys will have a better understanding of what to expect,” Gase told reporters at the NFL Combine. “It starts this spring heading into training camp. It’s a lot of those tiny things that you didn’t know when you’re a player or even a coach that you know going into it.”

Even with the abysmal statistical rankings, this argument would make some sense. Would is the operative word, however, because the Jets offense is going to look a lot different in 2020 when it comes to personnel. The offensive line could be completely revamped and changes are bound to happen at the wide receiver and running back positions. So there’s still going to be that transition phase for a lot of players.

The one person who stands to benefit the most from another year in Gase’s system is Sam Darnold. His 2019 season didn’t go as expected and it definitely impacted his play. He suffered mononucleosis after Week 1 and was out for three games. That put him behind in the offense and it took awhile to get it going again.

Darnold didn’t make the jump that a second-year quarterback is supposed to make. In 13 games, he threw for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. However, Gase thinks that Darnold having a year in the offense will help him be a better quarterback in 2020.

“It’s that second year and doing anything you can kind of closes a lot of the questions you had,” Gase said. “You have those answers and now it allows him to play faster heading into next offseason.”

There are certainly some things the Jets offense can build off from last season, but for the most part 2019 was a major disappointment. Not only do the players have to be more productive, but Gase has to put his players in better situations as a play caller.

The pressure on the offense next season is going to be sky high. The Jets are running out of excuses for being bad. It’s now or never for this offense in 2020.

4 left tackles the Jets should avoid in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four left tackles Joe Douglas and company should avoid in free agency.

If the Jets elect to move on from Kelvin Beachum this offseason, they will have plenty of options to replace him in free agency.

This year’s left tackle market is relatively deep, which is good news for Joe Douglas. There is also a chance Douglas elects to pluck a new starting left tackle from the 2020 NFL draft.

Regardless of what Douglas decides to do, there are some free agent left tackles New York’s first-year general manager should stay away from at all costs. Let’s take a look at who those players are.

Cedric Ogubehi

A former first-round pick of the Bengals in 2015, Ogubehi came to the NFL loaded with the potential to become an elite left tackle. Instead, the Texas A&M product finds himself for his third team in as many years this offseason.

Things never worked out for Ogubehi in Cincinnati. After struggling as a right tackle in the beginning of his career, Ogubehi shifted back to his natural left tackle position in 2017 when Andrew Whitworth departed in free agency. He failed miserably as a starter on the left side of the line and spent most of 2018 a healthy scratch before doing much of the same for the Jaguars last season.

The Jets should not pursue Ogubehi hoping that he will magically be able to turn the tide and reach his once sky-high ceiling. Joe Douglas’ time is best spent looking elsewhere.

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Joe Douglas wants Jamal Adams to be a ‘Jet for life’

Jets general manager Joe Douglas wants Jamal Adams to be a Jet for life.

Joe Douglas wants Jamal Adams to be a New York Jet forever.

Douglas spoke to the media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday and was asked about where the Jets are at with Adams and a contract extension. Douglas said he has had preliminary talks with Adams’ agent, but wouldn’t get into specifics. But Douglas wants Adam in New York for the long-term.

“The plan is for Jamal to be a Jet for life,” Douglas told reporters.

Ever since Douglas discussed Adams in trade talks prior to the 2019 in-season deadline, the GM has made it known that he wants the safety to stay with the Jets. Prior to the trade deadline, teams called about Adams, only to discover Douglas was asking for an exorbitant return. However, Adams didn’t appreciate having his name discussed at all and he avoided Douglas and Adam Gase for a couple of weeks.

The trio has since cleared the air and seem to be on good terms. Adams has also expressed a desire to remain in New York.

The All-Pro safety had another fantastic season in 2019, as he made the Pro Bowl and was named a first team All-Pro member. Adams had 61 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven pass defenses, one interception, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns in 14 games.

As for Robby Anderson, Douglas said he will speak to his agent this week at the combine about potentially re-signing the receiver. He called Anderson a “dynamic wide receiver who can take the top off any defense.” What the GM is willing to pay for that skill set remains to be seen.

The Jets also stated that they have no plans to trade Le’Veon Bell and Douglas is looking forward to having him back next season.

2020 NFL Combine tracker: Which prospects have the Jets met with?

Jets Wire keeps you posted on which prospects the Jets are meeting with at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Joe Douglas’ first NFL Draft test as Jets general manager starts in Indianapolis.

Douglas, Adam Gase and a front office contingency are there to scout the NFL Combine. There, they’ll meet with players, watch them test and scout prospects as New York’s brass determines its draft board for April.

Previous drafting miscues have curtailed the Jets’ development and it is up to Douglas to change that. The Jets will get a good feel of what direction they want their draft to go in following the commencement of the scouting combine.

In the meantime, you can keep track of which players the Jets have met with using this handy combine tracker. Be sure to check back for updates as more meetings come in.

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Joe Burrow works out with Jets QB Sam Darnold before combine

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was seen working out with Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

Sam Darnold has been working out with a variety of quarterbacks this offseason, including this year’s Heisman Winner.

According to NBC Sports’ Peter King (via NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah), Darnold was recently joined by LSU’s Joe Burrow for an offseason workout. Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen were also present. The grouped worked out with popular quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer. Darnold and Josh Allen have worked out with Palmer in the past.

Burrow, who is preparing for the combine this week, is expected to be the first overall pick in this year’s draft by the Bengals, though there’s been some talk of him trying to leverage his way out of Cincinnati. He won the Heisman Trophy and the national championship with LSU this past season.

Regardless of where Burrow ends up, it’s good to see Darnold already linking up with the league’s up and coming players. Darnold himself may only be 22 years old, but his knowledge and experience could prove beneficial for Burrow as he prepares to begin his NFL career.

4 centers the Jets should avoid in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four centers Joe Douglas and company should steer clear of in free agency.

It can’t get any worse than the production the Jets got out of their centers in 2019.

Ryan Kalil was a massive disappointment after coming out of retirement to join the Jets in August. The unit clearly lacked chemistry with Kalil at center and it suffered mightily as a result. By the time Jonotthan Harrison took over after Kalil went on injured reserve, it was too late for him to turn the tide and make a profound impact.

The bottom line is the Jets need more out of their next center. If Joe Douglas and company want to avoid repeating last season’s struggles at the position, here are some free agents they should avoid.

Jon Halapio

Halapio is a solid center and was mentioned as a possibility for the Jets in free agency last offseason. However, the circumstances are much different this spring.

The 29-year-old had an up and down 2019 campaign after spending all of 2018 on the shelf with a leg injury. Halapio could be in line for a bounce back 2020 season, but the Jets shouldn’t be betting on that happening at a position of need.

Halapio is also a restricted free agent and will likely wind up back with the Giants in some capacity. That, combined with his below average 2019 season, make him a player the Jets should not consider signing.

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4 right tackles the Jets should avoid in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four right tackles that Joe Douglas should stay away from in free agency.

There is no doubt that the Jets need some help at right tackle.

Brandon Shell was downright disappointing in 2019 and Chuma Edoga still has a long way to go in his development before he can be considered for a starting job. Joe Douglas will likely use free agency to fill the void on the right side of New York’s offensive line, but the first-year general manager must be careful in his pursuit of a new starter in the trenches.

There are plenty of attractive right tackles available on the open market this offseason, but some should not be touched under any circumstance. Who are the right tackles Douglas and the Jets should avoid in free agency? Let’s take a look.

Dennis Kelly

Kelly has made 31 career starts and briefly overlapped with Douglas in Philadelphia, but his experience and minimal familiarity with New York’s general manager should not cause the Jets to heavily pursue the veteran tackle this offseason.

Kelly is not a full-time starter anymore for a reason. His experience on the line is good to have, but New York needs an established starter at right tackle. If the Jets go after Kelly as a backup that is all well and good, but odds are some team will throw starter-level money at him once free agency kicks off.

The Jets should not be that team. They can find better options at right tackle elsewhere.

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Former Jets assistant Karl Dorrell named University of Colorado head coach

Karl Dorrell, who coached the Jets wide receivers from 2015-18 was officially announced as the next head coach of Colorado on Sunday.

The University of Colorado officially hire former Jets assistant coach Karl Dorrell as its next head coach on Sunday.

Dorrell will get a five-year, $18 million deal, which is pending approval from Colorado’s Board of Regents, according to a statement released by the school. He will succeed Mel Tucker, who left Colorado to replace Mark Dantonio at Michigan State. Dantonio resigned a day before National Signing Day.

Dorrell has ties to the Jets, as he coached the team’s wide receivers from 2015-18 as a member of Todd Bowles’ staff. In 2015, Dorrell oversaw a wide receiver room that included the elite duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Marshall and Decker both had 1,000-yard seasons, combining for 26 touchdowns and 189 catches.

Dorrell is a former University of Colorado assistant, too. He was the program’s wide receivers coach in 1992 and 1993 and returned to be the offensive coordinator from 1995-98. Now, Dorrell is making his third and presumably final stop in Boulder.

He returns to the Pac-12 after being the head coach at UCLA from 2003-07. There, Dorrell compiled a 35-27 record in five seasons. His teams went to four bowl games.

As a coach, Dorrell has also made college stops at UCF, Northern Arizona, Arizona State, Washington and Vanderbilt. In his most recent college coaching gig as Vanderbilt’s offensive coordinator, Dorrell was fired after just one season, which lead him back to the NFL.

Most recently, Dorrell was the Dolphins assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. He was hired by Brian Flores after the Jets elected to part ways with Bowles and his entire staff.