The New York Jets have been aggressive in 2020 NFL free agency by signing several players. Grading Joe Douglas’s work this offseason so far.
The New York Jets dipped their feet into the 2020 NFL free agency pool by concentrating on a real area of need: the beleaguered offensive line. General manager Joe Douglas inked center Connor McGovern, left tackle George Fant, guard Greg Van Roten, center/guard Josh Andrews and re-signed left guard Alex Lewis.
On defense, Douglas also signed slot cornerback Brian Poole, cornerback Arthur Maulet and linebacker Neville Hewitt. Although there were no splash signings (a la the Buccaneers with Tom Brady), these players will boost Gang Green if we have a season later this year.
Douglas was a former offensive lineman for the Richmond Spiders, so rebuilding a porous offensive line is close to his heart. There may be a few more free-agent signings to come this offseason. But there has been enough movement to rightfully hand out a grade for Douglas’s free agency signings as a whole thus far.
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Overall Grade: B
The long-overdue rehaul of the offensive line has begun in earnest. Gang Green finished the 2019 campaign ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing offense while also allowing 52 sacks. Something needed to be done. And fast.
As presently constituted, McGovern, Fant and Lewis project as starters. Van Roten has a real opportunity to start as well. The 30-year-old Van Roten started 27 games for the Carolina Panthers at left guard and has an interesting background.
He’s already been a member of four NFL teams and one squad in the Canadian Football League. Over the last two seasons in Carolina, the 6-3, 305-pounder committed a mere three penalties, which indicates he is a smart, heady performer.
The Jets can bolster their O-line even further if they select a tackle with the 11th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Stay tuned on that. It is a distinct possibility. I would rather select a premier wide receiver like Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy for what it’s worth.
Poole, Maulet and Hewitt are nice signings but they are not game-changers like adding a Jadeveon Clowney, for example. Behind Douglas’s leadership, the Jets appear to be on the right track in building a roster that can compete for a divisional title, especially now that Brady has relocated to the Sunshine State.
Douglas must build on his strong start and come through with an impressive draft next month. It will be his first draft as Jets GM and there will be pressure on him to come through.
As far as NFL free agency to date is concerned, there was nothing awe-inspiring about these new players but Douglas has formed a solid foundation on which to build. Now he must double down when the 2020 NFL Draft commences on April 23.