A Fine First Free Agency Day For Jets, But a Legit WR1 Remains An Elusive Target
Joe Douglas checked off a couple of items on his offseason priority list on Tuesday, the first day of the so-called legal tampering market for NFL free agents. The Jets General Manager plugged gaping holes at tight end and right guard with the signings of C.J. Uzomah and Laken Tomlinson, respectively, while also retaining All-Pro returner/backup slot receiver Braxton Berrios and running back Tevin Coleman with fair value extensions.
It was a solid opening salvo, focused on improving an offensive supporting cast for quarterback Zach Wilson. Uzomah, a huge (6-foot 6) target, excelled in yards after the catch last season with Cincinnati (6.1 YAC per reception, the sixth highest among tight ends with at least 50 targets, per ProFootballFocus.com). A better pass blocker (1 pressure allowed in 48 pass block snaps) than road grader in the run game, Uzomah was most notable for committing 0 penalties. The five Jets who manned the position last season combined for nine fouls while barely topping Uzomah in the reception count, 50-49. Suffice to say, Uzomah was a necessary and nice get at a reported 3 years and $24 million for the Florham Park brain trust.
Tomlinson’s signing was also well-received, as the former 49er graded out as the league’s 10th-best guard last season, as measured PFF, earning a Pro Bowl berth as an alternate. The reports indicate he came at a pretty steep price (3 year, $41.2 million) and he’ll be asked to move positions to the right side, but there’s no denying that he’ll be a massive improvement over the rotten Greg Van Roten on the Jets’ often-beleaguered offensive line.
Maybe the most underrated aspect of the two acquisitions is the pair’s durability. As any Jets fan knows, this team hasn’t exactly had the best luck when it comes to injuries. Not to jinx anything, but Tomlinson has missed one game during his seven-year career while Uzomah suffered a season-Achilles tear that ended his 2020 campaign in Week 2 but has been otherwise healthy, playing 48 of 49 games over the surrounding three seasons. Uzomah even grinded through the pain of an MCL sprain in his left knee from the AFC Championship to return two weeks later in Super Bowl LVI.
Since contract structures aren’t released, we don’t know how much Douglas has dipped into his estimated $48 million in salary cap space, of which about $13 million will be required to sign their 2022 draft picks. Some money can easily be recouped if the Jets cut Van Roten ($3.5 million cap savings) and tight end Ryan Griffin ($3.2 million), neither of whom would carry a significant dead money cap charge.
As such, I would expect that Douglas will turn more of his attention to fixing the team’s deplorable defense, with cornerback (Carolina’s Stephen Gilmore is reportedly on his radar), safety, and an interior defensive lineman the positions most in need of fortification.
However, I’m hoping Douglas doesn’t abandon his search for a true WR1. He never had a chance on Davante Adams (Packers), Chris Godwin (Bucs), or Mike Williams (Chargers) and must have had his reasons for passing on a bid for former Cowboy Amari Cooper, who was dealt to Cleveland for the rather low cost of a fifth-round pick.
Still, this is priority No. 1 if the mission is to save Wilson from a repeat of the Sam Darnold fiasco. Know what helped Buffalo’s Josh Allen develop into an outlier among QBs with lousy first two seasons? Trading for Stefon Diggs two years ago. Sure, it cost the Bills first, fourth, fifth, and sixth-round draft picks, but look what having that kind of weapon unlocked.
If there were a stud receiver at the top of the 2022 Draft—like the three in last year’s top ten—then I would say that Douglas should wait it out. Unfortunately, few experts believe such a prospect exists this year.
As I’ve noted in prior posts, the fact that the Jets will be paying Corey Davis $13 million this coming season is immaterial. He was a WR2 in Tennessee and didn’t fare well in his first promotion opportunity last season, and that was before it ended in Week 13 with a core muscle injury. According to overthecap.com, if Davis continues to underperform, the Jets can get out of his $11.1 million cap charge in 2023 with a $667,000 dead money penalty.
So I don’t want to hear how money is an issue when it comes to making an offer for Chicago’s Allen Robinson II the best receiver remaining on the market, or trading for another receiver on a team in a Cooper situation with their cap,.
The Jets, who are coming off a dreadful 4-13 campaign, are going to have to overpay to lure Robinson away from real contenders. If Douglas fails, well, that’s what all those extra picks accumulated from past trades are for.
Tuesday’s haul was fine, but adding a tight end and a guard won’t move the Jets’ needle that much. It’s imperative for Douglas to go out and get a big-time, playmaking receiver—anyway, anyhow.