2021 New York Jets Off-Season Plan

Jets Team Needs:

QB, EDGE, CB, WR, OG, C, HB, RT, LB, Nickel, TE

Jets Available Draft Picks:

1(2), 1(23), 2(34), 3(66), 3(87), 4(98), 5(130), 5(138), 6(162), 7(215)

Jets Starting Cap Space:

$72,892,774

Trades:

None

Restructures:

None

Cuts:

WR Jamison Crowder to save $10,375,000

DE Henry Anderson to save $8,200,000

IOL Alex Lewis to save $5,191,666

TE Ryan Griffin to save $1,848,430

OT Greg Van Roten to save $3,406,250

With all of the coaching changes this offseason in East Rutherford, some of these cuts are because of poor scheme fit so there’s no need to pay. When it comes to Jamison Crowder, this is a strong slot receiver class in the NFL Draft and he makes a ton of money so the Jets should take advantage where they can and save some money.

Re-signings:

S Marcus Maye for 4 years, $53,200,000 ($13.3 AAV, $38M GTD)

IOL Pat Elflein for 1 year, $990,000 ($0 GTD)

S Bradley McDougald for 3 years, $7,500,000 ($2.5M AAV, $4.5M GTD)

Marcus Maye is capable of being a legitimate star of this defense with Robert Saleh at the helm so re-signing him is a must. Elflein and McDougald should both be able to step in and contribute when needed, don’t be surprised if McDougald sees significant snaps.

Jets Free Agent Signings:

DE Carl Lawson for 4 years, $46,000,000 ($11.5M AAV, $35M GTD)

WR Will Fuller V for 4 years, $48,000,000 ($12M AAV, $33M GTD)

DE Trey Hendrickson for 3 years, $33,000,000 ($11M AAV, $25M GTD)

TE Jonnu Smith for 4 years $34,000,000 ($8.5M AAV, $25M GTD)

IOL Corey Linsley for 3 years, $31,500,000 ($10.5M AAV, $22.5M GTD)

CB Richard Sherman for 1 year, $6,500,000 ($3M GTD)

HB Matt Breida for 1 year, $2,000,000

The Jets are going on a bit of a shopping spree in this scenario. Without having any edge rush talent, bringing in Carl Lawson and Trey Hendrickson to shoulder the pass-rushing load in this Robert Saleh defense. Richard Sherman is familiar with the system and while he’s on the hind end of his career, he’s still better than what the Jets currently have on their roster. Offensively, adding Jonnu, Linsley, Fuller, and Breida are all players that I think are great scheme fits and could find themselves being more productive with the Jets than they’ve been throughout their career. Breida also has experience in this Mike LaFleur running game and fills a big need.

New York Jets Draft Results:

1.2 – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Jets grab the best QB available and he’s got all of the tools to be a franchise quarterback. Fields is also the best scheme fit around with the arm to make all of the throws, the IQ to make all of the reads, and the mobility to be utilized as a running threat in this wide zone offense.

1.23 – Kadarius Toney, OW, Florida

This is a bit of an assumption based on Mike LaFleur coming from the Kyle Shanahan offense but similar to how Deebo Samuel was used in the run game and the pass game, I’d expect Kadarius Toney to have plenty of plays drawn up to get the ball in his hands. Toney has improved significantly as a receiver over the past two years and he’s nearly impossible to tackle once he gets the ball so expect to see him line up all over the field and be very involved in the offense.

2.34 – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

While Paulson Adebo probably won’t see significant snaps immediately, he seems like a perfect fit for the Robert Saleh defense and he could spend some time learning behind an all-time great like Richard Sherman, who also has experience in this Saleh defense.

3.66 – Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State

To start out his career, Werner is likely being slotted into the strong-side linebacker role, but he could take over CJ Mosley’s role when he leaves the team. Werner has the athleticism, awareness, and skillset to contribute right away and fills a huge need on this roster.

3.87 – James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati

James Hudson should likely not be an immediate starter in the NFL. However, he’s on the Jets and they don’t have someone on the roster that belongs as a starter either and they spent this free agency building the rest of their roster. Hudson projects to be a good scheme fit and has a ton of potential. If Hudson ends up in East Rutherford, expect him to be a dominant force in the wide zone.

4.98 – Garret Wallow, LB, TCU

A former safety, Garret Wallow has the athleticism and talent to play the weak-side role immediately. Wallow is still learning how to attack the run and diagnose plays but when he drops back into coverage, he’s capable of making huge plays. Instincts are coming along for the former Horned Frog, but the base is there to be a long time starter. Wallow has no business being available this late but it seems as if the NFL isn’t as high on him as they should be so this is a great value pick

5.130 – Robert Hainsey, OL, Notre Dame

Like James Hudson, Hainsey probably isn’t fit to start right away but given how this Jets roster has shaken up, don’t be surprised if he sees more playing time than he should early on. Hainsey is also a great fit in a wide zone attack and while he’s not ready to be a great starter early on, his fit in the scheme should help mask his flaws. Hainsey also projects well to move inside to guard without much of an issue.

5.138 – Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon

Lenoir has lined up inside and out for the Ducks so his versatility would be much appreciated as a dime corner here. An ideal scheme fit for Lenoir would be a zone-heavy defense, much like we’re expecting to see from the Jets. The Jets draft a late-day corner that has the potential to start and play significant snaps all over the defense.

6.162 – Wyatt Hubert, EDGE, Kansas State

Wyatt Hubert made his name as a defensive end in Kansas State’s defense and could find himself playing end and tackle for Robert Saleh. Hubert rotated in at defensive tackle occasionally in Mobile and while it’s not natural for him, in sub-packages he could bounce inside and try to push the pocket a bit. Saleh’s defensive line tends to be more spread out than most so having him move inside might not feel too unnatural for Hubert.

7.215 – Ben Mason, FB, Michigan

While a fullback might not be the sexiest pick ever, he fills a hole that the Jets have and if the last few years of 49ers football mean anything for the future of the Jets, a fullback will be used. Mason is a former linebacker who’s still learning the position but he has the potential to be a stud in the NFL. With versatility and the flashes he’s shown so far, especially at the Senior Bowl, it’s very possible we see Mason get his name called on day three.

Cap Space Spent on Re-signings:

$16,790,000

Cap Space Spent on Free Agents:

$62,000,000

Cap Space Spent on Draft Picks:

$15,502,074

Jets Total Cap Remaining:

$7,622,046

Backfield Starters

QB: Justin Fields

RB: Matt Breida

FB: Ben Mason

Receiver Starters

WR: Will Fuller

WR: Denzel Mims

Slot WR: Kadarius Toney

TE: Jonnu Smith

TE: Chris Herndon

Offensive Line Starters

LT: Mekhi Becton

LG: Robert Hainsey

C: Corey Linsley

RG: Connor McGovern

RT: James Hudson

Defensive Line Starters

EDGE: Trey Hendrickson

NT: Quinnen Williams

DT: John Franklin-Myers

EDGE: Carl Lawson

Linebacker Starters

SAM: Pete Werner

MIKE: CJ Mosley

WILL: Garret Wallow

Secondary Starters

CB: Richard Sherman

CB: Bryce Hall

S: Marcus Maye

S: Ashtyn Davis

Nickel: Bradley McDougald

Special Teamers

K: Sam Ficken

P:  Braden Mann

KOS: Braden Mann

LS:Thomas Hennessy

KR: Braxton Berrios

PR: Braxton Berrios