New York Jets: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

5. Spencer Long, C (from Washington Redskins)

It wasn’t that long ago that the Green and White featured a standouts in left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold — both drafted in the first round in 2006. The former was a three-time Pro Bowler and never missed a game or start in his 10 seasons with the franchise. He opted for retirement following the 2015 season and the New York Jets have done their best trying to fill his spot.

As for Mangold, he was released by the team following the 2016 campaign. He was a steady component at the pivot for more than a decade. The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro played and started at least 10 games in each of his first 10 NFL seasons. Injuries limited him to eight contests in 2016, hence the Jets opted to go in a different direction.

A year ago, Wesley Johnson was the club’s primary center. But he’s now a member of the Detroit Lions after signing a one-year, $800,000 deal in late March (terms via Spotrac). This offseason, the Jets doubled up on their pleasure at the pivot with the free-agent additions of Spencer Long (Washington Redskins) and Travis Swanson (Lions).

The feeling is that Long, who played in only seven games this past season, winds up in the starting lineup come September. He made quite the successful conversion from left guard to center in 2016. In any case, adding this duo gives New York a pair of solid performers on the interior of the offensive front.

Next: No. 4