New York Jets: 2018 Offseason predictions through the draft
Ben Ijalana
Going into Week 17, the struggling right tackle had only play 53 snaps the entire season. Even with those 51 snaps, he hasn’t proven that he’s worth the $6 million he’s owed in 2018.
The 53 snaps weren’t even enough to give him a ranking in the Pro Football Focus Elite grade sheet for offensive tackles. He did grade out poorly in his 53 snaps, though. They gave him a grade of 50.7.
According to Spotrac, the Jets can save 79 percent of his salary, $4.75 million, by cutting him. So, this is yet another salary cap dump for them in 2018. This season was supposed to be the turnaround season for Ijalana. There was hopes he would finally break in as the starting right tackle, but at age 28, he’s probably nothing more than a career backup and jumbo package player.
The Jets need to completely revamp the offensive line, and cutting Ijalana opens up a space for a cheaper replacement for the bench. Ijalana is just one of those guys that just can’t cut it in the NFL. He’s going to be a cap casualty and just another blip on the radar in Jets history. It’s time to move on for Gang Green.