New York Jets: Who Stays and Who Goes in 2015 Free Agency?
Some of the hardest decisions will be made during free agency. Players are free to test their market value and either re-sign with their clubs or move on to greener pastures—in some cases literally.
The New York Jets roster has several impending free agents who saw significant time on the field in 2014, which makes some of the re-sign-or-release decisions easier to determine. However, with a new regime led by new general manager Mike Maccagnan and new head coach Todd Bowles, there could be some surprises and major changes to follow.
The top eight free agents on the Jets roster don’t include Damon Harrison, Jaiquawn Jarrett and Matt Simms, who are all restricted free agents lacking some of the freedoms of their unrestricted free-agent counterparts.
The following unrestricted free agents have been prioritized and suggested as candidates to be released or re-signed based on roster fit, depth at the position and cost vs. production balance.
Bilal Powell—Re-Sign
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Bilal Powell was the third running back on the depth chart in 2014. However, when given the opportunity to contribute—he can be a decent complementary RB.
Powell was slightly more productive in 2013 than Chris Johnson in 2014 in the backup running back role. He’ll also cost a lot less money and grief to the coaching staff in a reserve role behind Chris Ivory.
According to ESPN.com reporter Jane McManus, Johnson made no secrets about his desire for an increased workload. Powell graciously filled the same role last year without a peep. The Jets are better off releasing Johnson and retaining the four-year running back to complement Ivory.
Phillip Adams—Release
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Phillip Adams was the cornerback to break the ice for the Jets in interceptions, but his entire body of work doesn’t warrant a new contract.
In fact, Adams had the worst overall rating in coverage (minus-8.2) among Jets cornerbacks in 2014, per Pro Football Focus. That explains why former head coach Rex Ryan opted to bench him late in the season in favor of Marcus Williams and Josh Thomas.
Phillips never regained a spot in the starting lineup and was eventually phased out down the stretch. The six-year journeyman has played on five NFL teams and will likely sign with another club in the offseason.
Greg Salas—Release
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In Weeks 3 and 4, Jets fans saw the best of Greg Salas as a big-play receiver out of the slot due to Eric Decker’s hamstring injury. However, in both games he only caught two passes and concluded with 56 and 60 receiving yards respectively.
The wide receiver position has too much depth. Salas would battle with the likes of Jeremy Kerley, T.J. Graham, Chris Owusu, Quincy Enunwa and Shaquelle Evans for the No. 3 receiver spot.
According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, Kerley signed an extension worth $16 million with $5.4 million guaranteed, which pegs him as the slot receiver for the foreseeable future.
The depth clearly doesn’t favor Salas, nor does it make sense for the Jets to invest in a player who will barely see the field.
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Dawan Landry—Re-Sign
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When looking at the surface of Dawan Landry's numbers, you really don’t see anything special. However, when you dig a little deeper you’ll realize the Jets need Landry in the secondary even though he’s not forcing turnovers or delivering hard hits to oncoming receivers.
Initially, allowing Landry to walk seemed like a good idea. He had only one interception, one pass defensed and 1.5 sacks in 2014.
Let’s go beyond the numbers for some context.
Landry had the league's second-best combined tackle efficiency (29.3) and only missed three tackles during the season.
Rookie safety Calvin Pryor was touted as an efficient tackler who packed a heavy punch out of Louisville. Ironically, he struggled to wrap up receivers and gave up some big plays, per ESPN New York's Rich Cimini. Pryor's combined tackle efficiency was a 4.4.
The veteran safety was ranked ninth among all safeties in the NFL. In fact, Landry was the most efficient of all Gang Green's defensive backs in terms of not allowing splash plays in the secondary. Landry mastered the fundamentals, while his teammates failed to make tackles and defend the deep ball.
Willie Colon—Release
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The Jets are in dire need of upgrading their guards. Whether it’s free agency or the draft, expect the front office to get younger and more athletic at the expense of Willie Colon.
Colon started the season on the mend, per Jane McManus. Though he was an asset in pass blocking, he was also a liability in every other aspect of the position. He led the league in penalties among guards with 14. Additionally, he was one of the worst among starting guards in run blocking with a minus-16.3 rating, per PFF.
Those numbers aren't deceiving. Colon had a subpar season. It's evident the Jets should be cutting ties with the eight-year guard.
Kyle Wilson—Release
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Kyle Wilson is second to Mark Sanchez when it comes to being the butt of all futile Jets jokes. On a serious note, he never fulfilled the expectations of a first-round pick.
This season, he had a golden opportunity to step up and make plays within a depleted secondary. That never happened. The most telling observation is he never cracked the starting lineup as Ryan juggled his options at cornerback.
Wilson doesn’t have a chance of making the cut, not even with Todd Bowles' innovative defensive mind calling the shots.
Michael Vick—Release
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In Michael Vick’s last gasp as a human highlight reel, he completed 52.9 percent of his passes, threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions over the span of five games before getting banged up yet again.
Vick may not retire, but his time in New York should be over. He’s not a candidate to carry the Jets into the future, and he’s not even a reliable stopgap quarterback due to his injuries.
The Vick experience was fun while it lasted, but the Jets need to get serious if they’d like to push this franchise forward.
The Jets must sign or draft QBs who will push Geno Smith for the starting position—someone who isn't turning 35 with a completion percentage slightly over 50 percent and only capable of playing six to eight games.
David Harris—Release
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David Harris is Gang Green’s biggest concern of all the unrestricted free agents. On one hand, he’s a moderately productive inside linebacker. He recorded five sacks in 2014. However, he’s 31, slightly past his prime and will likely cost the Jets more than they anticipated to re-sign him.
Harris will be one of the top five players at his position looking for a new contract. According to Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole, he’s also willing to take less money to play on a potential Super Bowl-contending team.
At 4-12, the Jets seem to be years away from becoming a contender. Don’t be surprised if Harris jumps at the first offer from the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys or Indianapolis Colts.
If New York wants to re-sign Harris it’ll risk overpaying for a player with marginal impact on the roster. Gang Green would be better off going after his replacement by attempting to sign a young outstanding talent like Mason Foster. It can also negotiate with veteran free agents Rey Maualuga and Brandon Spikes.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Player contract details provided by Spotrac.com.
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