2011 was a good year of drafting for gang green, Mo Wilkerson, Bilal Powell, and Jeremy Kerley have all been fine contributors and give credence to the idea of continuing to build through the draft. The next part is tricky though: extending their contracts. Wilkerson will most certainly be extended, the only question is how the jets will do it. since he is a first rounder there is a club based option to extend him to a 5th year where he will make a particular average amount. In Mo's case since he was drafted 30th he'd be given the average pay of all DE's 3rd- 25th in average annual salary (top 10 picks would be an average of the top 10 highest salaries) now I don't know if the jets would want to do that or would rather give him a longer deal from the outset as they see it more financially sound to do so. perhaps they would rather delay long term negotiations until next year when Coples, Davis, Bush and Allen are up for negotiation. still its an option the jets can take if they so choose. Jeremy Kerley, is the best contributor in a weak wide receiver corp with a decent ability to get open, sure enough hands, and at an incredibly cheap amount of just under 700k next season. but while he's become an important piece to the jets wide receiver puzzle, is he really worth locking up long term? at what amount? Bilal Powell is another slightly above average contributor to his position, being a quietly effective passing threat (272 yds, 36 receptions, 8.2 ypc) and good enough to run over 100 yards if let loose, often coming in a pinch and making a case for being the jets premier back despite having average overall running ability. he's making just a bit more than Kerely at something like 750k. now does this warrant an extension where he makes more than say the 4 million over 2 years Ivory will be making? or should he have to earn an extension since he's not vital to the RB corps success?
Ellis too, is more interesting IMO because of the emergence of Snacks. Both are great players and I think you need two solid NTs (look at 09 and 10 both seasons we lost starter Kris Jenkins).
almost added him, but I felt as though an extension wouldn't be coming his way... yet, they'll probably let him play another year before considering. as for these 3... maybe, thats the discussion I'm looking for, should the jets consider locking these guys up for maybe 3 years lets say?
Powell is a dime a dozen and we have 2 better RBs on the roster with Ivory and Goodson. He gets no extension or real money. Kerley is a good, not great slot WR but he needs to be kept here as a familiar, reliable target in the anemic WR corps. I think Ellis should also be extended because he adds that true depth to the DL and the guy has become beastly in his own right especially against the run. Maybe in a year or two if another low pick or UDFA develops well under Dunbar; Ellis or even Harrison could command a lot of trade value and yield a good starter in a position of need. Ellis will also probably command less money than he deserves for the quality of his play this year due to limited action being behind Harrison.
This where the trap of the short drafts from 2007 to 2010 kicks in. It might be in the Jets best interests to not aggressively pursue extensions for Kerley and Powell right now, however they have so many holes to fill that it becomes hard to let two working pieces of the puzzle go, even if those guys are not main contributors. You can only fill so many holes in a given year and if the Jets want to win in 2015, let alone 2014, they can't let contributors go. I'd argue that Kerley is clearly worth an extension in any case and Powell is right on the edge of that status.
I can see the Jets not extending Powell, he's been a bit of a surprise and contributed when needed, but not a real game breaker. Kerley they need to keep. Has good chemistry with Geno and is effective in the slot. Big Mo, lock that boi up. Will not only be an anchor on our already stout D line but a leader for the entire team.
If you want to delay the cap hit you can let Kerley play next year then bid enough to retain him on the open market the following year. His overall value won't likely change much, his potential is close to realized; doesn't have the skillset to become a superstar and his relative role in the offense should decrease when weapons are added. However, Ellis might develop into a prime commodity with an extra year to develop along with the rest of the DL, especially if Harrison gets hurt for any period of time. Everybody on that line is on the upswing so there seems to be a good case for buying 'cheap' right away rather than seeing the value skyrocket if everything goes well for another year. Harrison will already be expensive based on this year and his salary is negligible in 2014 so that one is a two-edged sword and seems to be an open question for Idzik to answer.
I totally disagree. That's a way you show them no respect and risk losing them to another team. They've been good players for the Jets and great citizens. It's time for the Jets to start acting in a professional, classy fashion and showing their good players some love.
I would def extend Mo and Kerley. I'm on the fence with Powell, he's a solid player but I wouldn't mind letting him play out his rookie deal.
Looking back, our 2011 draft class was pretty awesome following the poor 2009 and 2010 drafts. Wilkerson, Kerley, Powell, and Ellis. All contributors.
Wilkerson and Ellis I would extend now. I would wait until at least half way through the season before dealing with Kerley and Powell. Once we see how things gel with our free agents and draft picks we can figure out where they fit in.
Frontload IMO it would be be in the best interest to the team to front load the contracts of the players in question. We're going to have a lot of cap space next year, but we're still not out of the post-Tanny cap purge we started last year quite yet. Take the hit now, then in a few years we can seriously add to the roster once the fat is trimmed off the roster. Besides, as much as we ended the season off on a positive note, we're still far from contenders at this point. A good draft or two can change that, but I'd rather save the cap space now, and have the money available when we are.
Wilkerson is a top priority. Everybody else either wait midway through the season or let them test FA.
unused cap space can now be carried over from year to year ... front loading contracts is no longer necessary
For those that want to extend Kerley and Powell now what are your thoughts on this. Powell Early in the draft we find the next AP / Jamaal Charles, etc. Ivory becomes the # 2 RB. Wouldn't you regret giving Powell a big contract to be the # 3 RB if he even can keep a spot on the team? Kerley Right now Kerley is one of the better pass catchers on the team. If we extend him we will probably be looking at # 2 WR money. The let's say we find 2-3 WRs in free agency and the draft like the board is clamoring for. Wouldn't you regret giving Kerley a big contract to be the # 3 or # 4 WR on the team?
1. Wilkerson will have to be extended for a long term. I just pray Idzik doesn't break the bank while doing so. As good as he is, he's not 10M player. He certainly benefited from Harrison and Richardson as well. 2. Ellis must be locked up for a long term as well - remember Planet theory from Parcells. 3. Kerley should be locked up for a long term, but for a fair cap figure - not too expensive. He is replaceable. 4. Powell's case would be the weakest - good RBs can be had at round 6 if the OL holds up anyway.
