Winners and Losers of New York Jets' Offseason so Far
The NFL offseason is full of give and take. A team gives one player a chance and takes that chance away from someone else.
The New York Jets did a lot of giving this offseason in terms of adding players to their roster who will get the chance to help the team get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2010. In turn, the Jets also took away a chance of redemption for a lot of players who have been a part of some hard times over the past few years.
From big-name, free-agent signings to high-profile draft picks, there are plenty of players who are getting a fresh start and a new opportunity with the Jets. And from aging veterans to failed developmental prospects, there are just as many players who have been put on notice to step up or step off the field.
Here's a look at eight such players and people associated with the Jets.
Winner: Geno Smith
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Geno Smith must feel like he's won the lottery.
His offseason started with the news of New York's signing of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, whose fondness for the spread formations and the shotgun will be music to Smith's ears.
Scouts knocked on Smith's coming out, pigeon-holing him as a product of West Virginia's system, but Gailey's system fits Smith's skill set perfectly and should accentuate the same strengths that made him one of the draft's top quarterback prospects in 2013.
The Jets' offseason continued with an aggressive move to trade for Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, giving Smith yet another big-bodied target on the outside, as well as the second-round selection of Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith and another trade for Houston Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey.
With those three adding to Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley, the Jets have enough talented wide receivers to legitimately come out in a five-receiver set and spread a defense out. The question is whether Smith can improve his accuracy and decision-making to make the most of all his new weapons.
There's no question, however, that he'll get his opportunity. Head coach Todd Bowles said the No. 1 quarterback spot is "Geno's to lose," relayed by the Around the NFL Twitter account.
Loser: Jeremy Kerley
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The addition of so many wide receivers is good news for Geno Smith.
It is not such good news, however, for Jeremy Kerley.
If it feels like it was only yesterday that the Jets signed Kerley to a four-year, $14 million contract extension, that's because it was under eight months ago. The Jets could just as easily move on from him after this year, though, and they would lose out on just $500,000 in dead money on his contract if they released him ahead of the 2016 season.
With so much talent at the wide receiver position, and with so many big bodies available—Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall both stand at least 6'3", and DeVier Posey and Devin Smith both stand over 6'1"—the Jets have the kind of receivers Gailey prefers all over the field. Even in Buffalo, Gailey's slot receivers were a mix of smaller, shiftier slot receivers and bigger-bodied receivers who can win physical positioning battles over the middle.
Kerley still has a lot to give to an offense, especially one such as the Jets', which will focus on opening up the middle of the field for short throws. But with so much competition, it's fair to wonder whether he'll still be a major piece of the puzzle.
Winner: Leonard Williams
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Leonard Williams couldn't have come into a better situation. No matter what happens, there won't be much pressure on him as a rookie.
If Muhammad Wilkerson returns to the Jets amid his contract dispute, reported by ESPN, Williams will develop at a slower pace—but make no mistake, he'll play a significant role on defense as a top rotational defender. If Wilkerson doesn't return, or if the Jets find a way to move on from the star defensive end, Williams will get to lineup next to talented defensive linemen such as Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison.
He also gets to join a team with a solid defensive coaching staff led by head coach Todd Bowles, who is known for preferring an aggressive style of defense.
Williams would probably benefit from Wilkerson's presence because the Jets wouldn't be counting on him to make a smooth and immediate transition to the NFL. Either way, the Jets' selection of him is a win-win situation for Williams.
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Loser: Muhammad Wilkerson
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Like Cinderella said back in 1988, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone."
If Muhammad Wilkerson ever leaves the Jets, maybe we'll see Todd Bowles standing outside Wilkerson's window with a boombox over his head and this song blaring for all the world to hear.
Wilkerson has stayed away from Jets workouts amid a contract dispute, but the team has all the leverage. He's under contract this year for $6.96 million, reported by Over the Cap, and although he's set to hit the open market next year, the Jets could also just hit him with the franchise tag to keep him under contract through 2016.
If Wilkerson fails to show up, the Jets could plug Leonard Williams in at Wilkerson's spot. Though the group wouldn't be as deep as they could be with Wilkerson in the lineup, they would still be able to execute their 3-4 defense.
Wilkerson may eventually get the money he is seeking, but it will probably not be because he didn't show up to a few practices in May.
Winner: Lorenzo Mauldin
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The Jets took Lorenzo Mauldin in the third round of April's draft, and while they are still feeling out what his exact role will be, there's little doubt in anyone's mind that he'll play a part as a rookie and get every opportunity to expand that role.
He played in both a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense at Louisville. Though his skills as an outside linebacker will be paramount to his inclusion in the defense, his overall pass-rushing and edge-setting ability are what will allow him to make an impact regardless of what the Jets are doing defensively.
If it feels like it's been nearly a decade since the Jets had a productive, young pass-rusher for their defense, that's because it has been. Muhammad Wilkerson had 10.5 sacks for the Jets in 2013, but before that, Jonathan Abraham in 2005 was the last Jets defensive end to have 10 sacks or more between the ages of 20 and 29, recorded by Pro-Football-Reference.com.
No one is saying that Mauldin will be anything close to what Abraham was for the Jets during his time in New York, but for the first time in a long time, the Jets have long-term potential at the position. Between Mauldin and Quinton Coples, the Jets have a pair of pass-rushing talents on the edge of their defense who could really add some teeth to Todd Bowles' defense.
Loser: Calvin Pace
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The Jets have needed to move on from Calvin Pace for a couple of years now, but they've needed a stop gap more. Now, with the arrival of Lorenzo Mauldin, the Jets appear to be in full-blown transition mode at that outside linebacker spot.
Sure, Quinton Coples will still be the anchor on one side, but with two edge defenders 25 years or younger, the Jets are in a youth movement on defense, particularly in the front seven.
Pace has been productive for the Jets, recording 15 sacks over the past two years, but with so much talent on the defensive line, playing outside linebacker has never been easier than it's been for Pace in that period of time.
He will probably still play a role on defense in 2015, but it will be a much smaller one than the one to which he's accustomed.
Winner: Marcus Gilchrist
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The Jets may not regret signing Marcus Gilchrist to a four-year, $22 million contract, but it may not work out as well as they hope it will. Gilchrist has bounced around in the secondary throughout his career but played strong safety for the San Diego Chargers over the past couple of seasons, primarily because of his struggles in deep coverage.
He'll be playing free safety for the Jets in 2015 to allow Calvin Pryor to play strong safety, and while the position may not be a tremendous fit for his skill set, his job will be made much easier by New York's aggressive and talented front seven, as well as the dominant talent at cornerback.
The Jets could part ways with Gilchrist after the 2015 season without incurring any dead money, so although the Jets feel Gilchrist can play free safety, there's little prohibiting them from moving on in a heartbeat if he can't man the position.
That said, the Jets did not make any other moves at free safety, so any backup plan will involve significant playing time for one of Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett or Durell Eskridge.
Loser: Brian Winters
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The Jets have assembled quite the competition for one of the starting guard spots.
By signing veteran James Carpenter to a four-year, $19.1 million contract, the Jets have virtually locked him into one of the spots. The other job is going to be a battle between four players, three young and one veteran: Willie Colon, Jarvis Harrison, Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi.
Winters' chances of regaining the job he lost because of an injury in 2014 aren't great. Aboushi stepped in at that point and played admirably. Harrison is talented but had some character concerns coming out of Texas A&M and will need to work hard to prove he deserves the spot. Colon has been a starter on New York's offensive line for years and could once again be a stop-gap option until one of the younger guards steps up.
Winters has struggled in two years as a starter, and as a product of the previous regime, there's no reason why the coaching staff should feel compelled to keep him in the starting lineup on merit alone.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release. All salary cap and contract information provided by Over the Cap.
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