7 takeaways from Joe Douglas’ offseason conference call

Jets GM Joe Douglas gave updates on everything from free agency, the draft, injuries and helping Sam Darnold.

With Joe Douglas in the midst of his first offseason as Jets general manager, he’s still trying to build a sustainable contender despite having already made some upgrades to the roster.

With free agency mostly in the rearview mirror, Douglas now has his sights on the draft and then the regular season. Douglas opened up Wednesday on a conference call to discuss the moves he’s already made, the ones he’s looking at making down the road and updates on some of the biggest questions facing the Jets this year.

Here are the biggest takeaways from his call.

Douglas’ free agency approach

Joe Douglas said he went into free agency with essentially two plans: 1) to fill as many holes as he could and 2) be “strategic and disciplined” with his signings. He did a solid job of executing by signing a bevy of offensive linemen and linebackers while shoring up cornerback and replacing Robby Anderson with Breshad Perriman, all without breaking the bank.

This plan also explains why he handed out 10 one-year contracts and only three multi-year deals with minimal guarantees after this season. Douglas explained that the 2020 market wasn’t right for big contracts and now the Jets will have lots of “flexibility in the draft” with four picks in the first three rounds.

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2020 NFL Draft: Jets get Jerry Jeudy & Marlon Davidson in Todd McShay’s latest mock

Todd McShay has the Jets picking wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson in the first two rounds of the draft.

As we hit the two-week mark since free agency opened, ESPN analyst Todd McShay released his latest two-round mock draft.

Despite two of the four top offensive tackles being available in Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, McShay has the Jets selecting a wide receiver with the 11th pick in the draft. That would be none other than Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.

Here is McShay’s explanation for the pick:

[Offensive tackle Mekhi] Becton also would make sense here, as that offensive line still needs work, but Jeudy is the class’ best route runner and top wideout available. How can the Jets, who would be entering the season with Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman as their top two wide receivers, pass on this type of playmaker? The Jets were one of four NFL teams to average fewer than 200 passing yards and score fewer than 20 passing touchdowns last season, and that was with Robby Anderson still in green.

While McShay’s rationale does make sense, it’s hard to believe Joe Douglas would go wide receiver given that two of the top four offensive tackles are available in this mock. Douglas has made the offensive line his priority so far in free agency and the feeling is that he’s going to continue to address it in the draft.

If none of the top tackles are there at No. 11, then picking Jeudy would be wise. The Jets are hungry for dynamic playmakers and Jeudy has all the tools to be a star wide receiver in the NFL one day.

As for the second round, McShay has the Jets taking Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson at No. 48.

Here’s McShay’s reasoning on this pick:

It’s not easy to skip out on the offensive tackle position — or cornerback — but there just isn’t a player worth reaching down the board for at No. 48. So instead, the Jets tack on an edge rusher in Davidson, who has power, explosiveness and versatility.

The Jets desperately need some help on the edge, but picking a defensive lineman makes little sense for them right now. They have a crowded defensive line headed by Quinnen Williams, Steve McLendon and Henry Anderson.

Even without an edge presence, the Jets were still tied for 16th in the league in sacks last season with 39. It’s not like the Jets aren’t getting to the quarterback at all. They just need guys like Williams and Anderson to step up and be more productive.

An offensive tackle has to be a priority in this year’s draft, whether it’s in the first round or second round. The Jets cannot afford to have Sam Darnold get pummeled into the ground because George Fant and Chuma Edoga can’t hold up in pass protection.

Jets re-sign backup QB David Fales

The Jets re-signed backup quarterback David Fales to a one-year deal on Tuesday.

The Jets returned to a familiar face on Tuesday, re-signing backup quarterback David Fales to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Fales served as New York’s No. 2 quarterback behind Sam Darnold for most of last season. He appeared in two games last season but did not attempt a single pass.

Fales joined the Jets in the middle of September as a free agent signing. The 29-year-old spent training camp with the Lions but did not make Detroit’s final 53-man roster. New York released Fales five days after signing him, but brought him back on Oct. 4 to serve as Luke Falk’s backup while Darnold was sidelined with mononucleosis. Once Darnold returned, Falk was released and Fales remained on the roster.

Fales’ return to the Jets makes sense considering his familiarity and knowledge of Adam Gase’s offensive scheme. Having worked with Gase and Jets offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains in Chicago, Miami and New York, Fales’ experience in Gase’s system is important with changes to the offseason schedule pending due to the coronavirus pandemic. A new backup quarterback would not have much time to learn the playbook in an abbreviated offseason, while Fales is already fluent in Gase’s system.

Still, the Jets might want to consider a more capable backup.

In four NFL seasons, Fales has appeared in four games, completing 31 of his 48 pass attempts for 287 yards and a touchdown. The Jets will likely add a quarterback or two to compete with Fales for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart in training camp.

Jets among few teams spending more on running backs than quarterbacks

With Sam Darnold on a rookie deal, the Jets can afford to give more money to their running backs.

In an era in which running backs have been devalued, the Jets are one of eight NFL teams who actually spend more money on the position than they do on quarterbacks.

The Jets have a little over $9 million locked up in two quarterbacks right now – Sam Darnold and Mike White – but will spend around $18.4 million on four running backs – Le’Veon Bell, Trenton Cannon, Josh Adams and Kenneth Dixon. Darnold obviously takes up most of that money with an $8.3 million cap hit for the quarterbacks, while White costs $675,000. Bell, meanwhile, leads the running back group with a $15.5 million, while the other three cost less than $800,000 each.

While that may seem like a bad use of money, it makes sense if you look at the other seven teams who also pay less than $10 million for their quarterbacks. The Jets, along with the Jaguars, Texans, Broncos, Giants, Ravens, Cardinals and Patriots, all feature quarterbacks on cheap rookie contracts or ones who signed for the minimum. New York also just gave Bell a lucrative contract in 2019, similar to how the Texans, Broncos and Ravens are also paying for veteran running backs. The problem is, only three of those teams made the postseason in 2019 – the Texans, Ravens and Patriots. That season, only the Ravens actually paid less for their quarterback of those three.

It isn’t a bad thing to pay so little for a quarterback, especially when he’s on a rookie deal. Those contracts are the easiest path to success in roster building in the NFL. The Chiefs will spend less on Patrick Mahomes than the Jets did on Darnold in 2020, but they’ve been able to use their extra cap space more effectively to construct a contending team. The Jets need to do a better job of that this season or hope their offensive line plays better after a horrific 2019.

Spending a lot of cap space on running backs isn’t always a bad option, either. It just matters how and who you spend it on. The Jets rank third in cap space allocated to running backs behind the Rams and the 49ers, who finished first with $21.6 million spent. San Francisco’s running game actually fueled their journey to the Super Bowl, but they spread all their money out between five running backs – three of which were instrumental in their 2019 success.

Unless you’re a draft wizard, you have to spend money to create a competitive team. The Jets are fortunate that they still have a good, young quarterback on their roster with a small salary to offset the big contract they gave to Bell. That won’t last forever, though, and it will be telling how Joe Douglas builds the team around Darnold and Bell and if that will translate into more wins in 2020.

Josh Allen in quarantine with Sam Darnold, Kyle Allen

Team activities for many NFL teams are on hold during the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Players are taking different measures in order to hone their craft during this time away from team facilities.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer highlights that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is engaging in a self-quarantine with New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, Washington quarterback Kyle Allen. The group is working with quarterback coach Jordan Palmer and former USC quarterback Matt Lopes.

“The quarterbacks wake up every day and, because all the parks and fields around them are shut down, go throw on the beach by Darnold’s house. After that, they’ll go back to the house, eat lunch, play cards, watch TV, play some more cards and eventually watch movies at night. The biggest problems, really, are losing the chance to work with the rehab guy they’d been using, and fighting boredom.”

The group was planning on working out as per usual as part of their offseason training regimen with Palmer. However, the explosion of the COVID-19 virus along with several calls from municipalities to led to this developing sitcom.

The Allens have been in southern California together for weeks, according to Breer.

It’s not a bad spot for young quarterbacks to continue to develop in the offseason. With self-quarantine, their focus on football will aid in bolstering their skills while squashing boredom.

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Should the Jets sign Joe Flacco to be Sam Darnold’s backup?

Joe Flacco is the right veteran backup to sit behind and help Sam Darnold develop in New York.

Backup quarterback is one of those sneaky important positions the Jets failed to address the past two seasons.

They went 0-6 without Sam Darnold under center because the team lacked a truly competent backup quarterback. Jets GM Douglas understands firsthand the need for a viable starter, however. During his time in Philadelphia, the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2017 with Nick Foles after Carson Wentz tore his ACL at the end of the regular season.

Now, after a season in which David Fales and Luke Falk effectively tanked the Jets’ 2019 chances – yes, there were other reasons the team was bad – Douglas needs to go out and grab a veteran who fits Adam Gase’s offense well, can mentor Darnold and start in a pinch.

Enter Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco.

After all the best backups signed elsewhere, the only quality quarterbacks left on the market are either inexperienced, expensive former starters or aging veterans. Cam Newton and Jameis Winston aren’t signing with the Jets because they’re either too expensive, could supplant Darnold at any point and don’t fit Gase’s offensive scheme.

Flacco is the best fit given his ability as a pure pocket passer, his veteran knowledge and his connection to Douglas. Gase loves quarterbacks who can sit back in the pocket and make throws and Flacco would be the perfect fit if Darnold needed to miss time. His stats over the past two seasons haven’t been great – 62.9 completion percentage, 4,287 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the Ravens and Broncos – and he only played 17 games because of neck and hip injuries, but Flacco has the requisite skills to operate the Jets offense effectively should he be called upon.

Even more important than Flacco’s ability as a quarterback is his experience in the league. Darnold learned a lot from Josh McCown during his rookie season in 2018 and Flacco could add to those teachings with his knowledge coming from a winning organization in Baltimore. Flacco led the Ravens to a Super Bowl win in 2012 and even won Super Bowl MVP that season. That type of knowledge isn’t always available for young quarterbacks.

If there’s anyone who knows Flacco the best, it’s Joe Douglas, who worked as a scout for the Ravens for the first seven years of Flacco’s career in Baltimore. Douglas discovered Flacco in college and convinced the Ravens to draft the lanky Delaware quarterback with the 18th pick in the 2008 draft. Flacco could be easily recruited to work for someone who vouched for him early in his career.

The biggest issue with Flacco is his health. He’s only played 17 games in the past two years and both injuries landed him on injured reserve. One of the reasons the Broncos released him this offseason was because of a failed physical likely stemming from the neck injury that forced him to miss half of the 2019 season and Flacco might not be fully healthy yet. But besides the past two seasons, Flacco’s been pretty durable. The only other time he didn’t play a full season was when he tore his ACL and MCL during Week 11 of the 2015 season. While that may seem like a good thing, it appears Flacco’s age has finally caught up to him and he only recently turned 35.

Still, Flacco is the best option for the Jets despite his age and durability questions. The Jets sorely need a veteran backup to help Darnold develop and manage the team if needed, and Flacco would be worth whatever money the Jets would need to pay him – which likely wouldn’t be much. Flacco gets a bad rap for the past two seasons but his expectations would be adequate for a role on the Jets.

Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Kyle Allen quarantined in Southern California

Sam Darnold is continuing to workout with Josh Allen and Kyle Allen, despite being under quarantine.

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has made good use of his time in quarantine.

Darnold is in Southern California along with Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Redskins quarterback Kyle Allen, according to Sports Illustrated. The two Allens rented a place out there to live, while Darnold is at his home. All three quarterbacks have spent most of the offseason working out with each other and trainer Jordan Palmer.

However, with COVID-19 shutting down all team training facilities, as well as public gyms, Darnold and the other quarterbacks have had to get creative when it comes to keeping up with their workouts. That has included going to the beach to throw and turning a garage into a weight room.

This offseason is essential for Darnold’s development in 2020. He’s entering his third year in the league and he has yet to take that big jump as a quarterback.

Darnold has had some bumps in the road with his mononucleosis diagnosis back in September, along with adjusting to a new playbook under head coach Adam Gase. But with a year in the system now and an improved offensive line, Darnold has to show that he can take the next step.

Darnold is still a few years away from free agency, so he still has time to prove that he’s a legit quarterback in this league. But time goes by quickly, so it’s got to happen sooner rather than later. But for now, at least he’s doing whatever it takes to stay ready for the 2020 season.

Jets free agent WR Robby Anderson signs with Panthers, reunites with Matt Rhule

The Jets lost free agent wide receiver Robby Anderson to the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.

Jets free agent wide receiver Robby Anderson has signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Anderson and the Panthers agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal with $12 million in guaranteed money on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In Carolina, Anderson reunites with his former college head coach Matt Rhule.

Anderson signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2016. He entered training camp fighting for the fifth spot on the depth chart and won the spot thanks to a strong preseason in which he led all players in receiving yards. Anderson not only earned a spot on New York’s 53-man roster, but climbed up the depth chart as the year went on and finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 587 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2017 season was Anderson’s breakout year, as he nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 63 receptions for 941 yards and seven touchdowns. His production took a hit in 2018, but Anderson still managed to lead the Jets in receiving with 50 receptions for 752 yards and six touchdowns in his first season working with Sam Darnold. Anderson’s numbers in 2019 were similar to that of the year before, as he hauled in 52 passes for 779 yards and five touchdowns.

Anderson finishes his career with the Jets with 207 receptions for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns.

With Anderson off to Carolina, Jets general manager Joe Douglas now has to find Darnold a new No. 1 receiver to throw to. Free agent options such as Nelson Agholor and Paul Richardson remain, but with a deep crop of receivers looming in the 2020 NFL draft class, there is a chance Douglas waits until late April to address the position.

Darnold, Mosley among 4 Jets to collect roster bonuses

Some of the best Jets from 2019 earned their 2020 roster bonuses as the league year rolls on.

We’re only a few days into the 2020 league year and the Jets are paying out roster bonuses for a few of their best players. C.J. Mosley, Sam Darnold, Steve McLendon and Ryan Griffin all received varying portions of their 2020 salaries on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Mosley, who only played two games in 2019 after suffering a groin injury in Week 1, earned the largest roster bonus of the four at $10 million. He heads into the second year of the five-year, $85 million contract he signed last offseason. Mosley’s $17.5 million cap hit in 2020 ranks first among Jets players. His contract doesn’t call for a roster bonus in any of the final three years, but his base salary rises dramatically from $6 million in 2020 to $16 million in 2021 and $17 million in 2022 and 2023.

Darnold enters the third year of his rookie deal and just picked up a $2,569,790 roster bonus. He only has a base salary of $750,000 but does have a $5,019,584 signing bonus to round out his $8.339,374 cap hit this season. Darnold isn’t going anywhere considering he’s the Jets’ franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future and comes with a $17.9 million dead cap hit.

The Jets just picked up the 2021 extension of tight end Ryan Griffin and a day later he earned a $918,000 bonus. Griffin excelled with the Jets as a replacement for Chris Herndon and could become a big part of the offense in 2020 after hauling in 34 receptions for 320 yards and five touchdowns.

Finally, veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon received a $1.25 million roster bonus – a little over half of his 2020 salary. The 34-year-old McLendon signed a one-year, $3 million extension on Oct. 12, 2019, and his veteran presence helped the young Jets defensive line throughout the year. McLendon hasn’t missed a single game since 2017 and he wracked up 2.5 sacks in 2019.

In other Jets contract news, safety Jamal Adams earned his $2.765 million roster bonus Friday and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa’s $6 million base salary became fully guaranteed despite him not being medically cleared from a neck injury yet.

As of this article, the Jets have an estimated $42,760,353 in salary cap space, per Spotrac, and a lot of work left to do this offseason.

Robby Anderson’s market developing at a glacial pace

Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson’s market has yet to develop, leaving him out to dry on the first couple days of free agency.

It might be a while before Robby Anderson figures out which team he will be playing for next season.

The wide receiver’s market has yet to materialize, leaving him out to dry on the open market in the opening days of free agency. After Amari Cooper re-signed with the Cowboys on a five-year, $100 million deal, it looked like there was a chance wide receivers would start flying off the board with Anderson being the first to go. Instead, the market has gone stagnant.

This can be attributed to a couple of factors. The 2020 NFL draft class is loaded with with wide receivers such as Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Clemson’s Tee Higgins. With such a deep crop of receivers looming in the draft pool, there is not much of a reason for any team to risk overpaying for a wideout it is not completely sold on.

There is also a chance that the NFL’s lower than expected salary cap has caused teams to approach free agents differently than they previously expected to. The lower salary cap has caused teams to cut back on their spending, keeping them out of the running for a player like Anderson, who is in line to get a contract worth more than $10 million per year.

The stagnant wide receiver market helps the Jets, as they have remained in the hunt to re-sign Sam Darnold’s top target. It has also allowed Joe Douglas and company to stay out of a bidding war that could have pushed Anderson away from a return to the Big Apple.

The longer this goes on, the better it is for New York’s chances of bringing back its top unsigned player. With that being said, it’s only a matter of time before things start to pick up for a receiver as talented as Anderson.

It just might take a little longer than he and everyone else originally expected.