New York Jets: Grading early 2018 free agent signings

The New York Jets have been very busy in NFL free agency so far. Here we grade their signings to date.

It’s been a wild week in NFL free agency so far and the New York Jets were quite active participants. They lost out in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes but added some key pieces on both sides of the ball. With over $90 million in salary cap space at the start of the free agency period, Gang Green needed to be aggressive and for the most part, they were.

Let’s take a look at the “new” New York Jets for 2018 and give General Manager Mike Maccagnan a grade for each signing. May we have the envelope please:

Trumaine Johnson, CB

This was a home run signing by Maccagnan. Gang Green got the premier corner on the open market and filled a desperate need. The 28-year-old Johnson spent the last six seasons with the Rams and is considered a shutdown corner. The Jets paid a handsome price – about $15 million per season for five years – but he’s worth it.

Although he had an average 2017 campaign (14 pass breakups, two interceptions, 65 tackles), the University of Montana product lines up against the opposing top wide receiver every game and has excellent press-man skills. He has 18 career interceptions (three for touchdowns) in six NFL campaigns and instantly becomes New York’s best cornerback since the days when Darrelle Revis was in his prime.

The Jets now have one of the better secondaries in the NFL with Johnson and safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Now that they’ve re-signed Morris Claiborne as well, Gang Green is really in business. Johnson brings strong leadership qualities to his new team too. Top cornerbacks are expensive but Johnson will prove to be one of the best free agent acquisitions in club history.

Grade: A