New York Jets: 2018 Offseason predictions through the draft

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson (C) poses with new General Manager Mike Maccagnan (L) and new Head Coach Todd Bowles after they were introduced to the media during a press conference on January 21, 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /

5 of 23

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: James Carpenter #77 and Kelvin Beachum #68 of the New York Jets walk out of the tunnel prior to an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

James Carpenter

James Carpenter is in a go-to-go situation for the Jets. Their offensive line is terrible, and they need to start rebuilding it, and that starts with high priced cuts to open up even more salary cap space.

Based on projections from Spotrac, the Jets will have the fourth most salary cap space in the NFL, and opening up even more would make them a bigger player in free agency, even if they don’t spend it all in 2018, because unused cap space can be carried over to 2019.

Carpenter is scheduled to have a cap hit of $6.805 million, and the Jets can save 69 percent of his salary by cutting him. That’s a no-brainer move, and one that needs to get done sooner rather than later. Carpenter is nowhere near worth the $6.805 million due to him, and it’s only a $2.105 million penalty for cutting him.

He’s one of the worst offensive guards in the league, let alone on the Jets. Based on the grade he was given by Pro Football Focus Elite, 10 players currently on injured reserve were graded higher than him, and he’s tied for 63rd out of 80 eligible guards in grade. This is one of those NFL “don’t let the door hit you one the way out” moments.

Home/New York Jets