Free agency is fickle in the NFL, but it’s not only about the players from other teams. The New York Jets will have to re-sign their own too.
The New York Jets have a lot of holes to fill in the offseason. Fans and media alike have compiled lists of players the Jets should sign that are currently on other teams rosters. Dante Fowler, Jr., Demarcus Lawrence, and Jadeveon Clowney are just a few names on the wish list of fans.
According to Spotrac, the Jets head into the offseason with only 30 active roster spots filled. That means by camp they have up to 60 spots to fill, because teams can hold up to 90 players on the roster in camp. They also have 38 free agents between the practice squad and active roster.
Most of the players the sign will come from free agency post-draft. Many of those players won’t make the team. However, they will have to re-sign some of those 38 players. Some looked bad early and came on late. Others were major contributors all season. Either way, there are players the Jets either must or should re-sign.
Here are the players the Jets should give a serious look to in their own free agency.
Deontay Burnett
Burnett is an interesting re-sign. He’s a guy who is small for the NFL, but has shown some things in sporadic appearances for the Jets in 2018.
Burnett isn’t one of the must re-signs, but a “should” re-sign. He’s shown enough to be given another look. Despite playing in only five games, he played decent enough to warrant a return on a one-year deal. At 24 years old, he’s still young enough to develop into a quality option for Sam Darnold.
In the Week 17 matchup against New England, he had his best game with five catches for 73 yards. He may just be a late bloomer. If he is, then they should re-sign him in hopes that they can catch lightning in a bottle for one season.