With any offseason, there are dozens of roster moves that take place. I'll do my best to explain my logic as briefly as possible, but this is going to be long no matter what. I'll try to bold the major points for you TLDR types. Believe it or not, the Jets have a lot of advantages to their current position. To start with, Idzik cut most of the bloated contracts from the books. The only remotely outrageous contracts left are for Ferguson, Mangold, and Harvin, all of which can be dealt with in the coming year or two. The Jets are in a position to decide on their cornerstone players and start building around them. It is my belief that some of those players are on the roster, and others can be brought in from various sources. Unfortunately, there are still many holes, and not all of them can be dealt with in one off-season. There are many tough decisions to be made about what positions to target, what players are worth keeping around, and how much money to spend in the process, and that doesn't even mention the coaching and management decisions to be made. Therefore, my goal in this mock is to set the foundation for a team that can start consistently competing for the playoffs in 2016. Head Coach Sounds like Quinn is the guy. I'm down with that. I will assume he changes to a 4-3 defense. General Manager Maccagnan all but has the job right now. It'll be good to have a personnel guy in charge instead of a numbers guy, because that's what the team needs right now. Cuts (2015 Cap Saved) Calvin Pace ($1.125M) - The aging linebacker does not move well in space, and that's key to play LB in a 4-3. He could be kept as a role player for his price, but I really don't think he has in in him to make the scheme change I project. Chris Johnson ($3.5M) - I actually think Johnson has some gas left in the tank, but at this price, at his age, and with the current state of the Jets, this money can be better spent elsewhere. Percy Harvin ($10.5M) - This is a hard decision, and the defining decision for the roster of the off-season. He just isn't worth the amount of money he'll get paid on this contract, and there is a cheaper option available I have in mind that is a better schematic fit at WR. Extensions and Restructuring (Total Contract Yrs/Total Value, '15 Cap) Muhammad Wilkerson (7/$77M, $15M) - This extension contains a $6M Roster Bonus as a reward for his performance so far in his career, taking advantage of extra cap space in 2015. This $77M also contains the $7M he is already owed, so the extension is worth $70M. The cornerstone of the defense, not much to discuss here. Quinton Coples (1st Round Option Accepted) - I'm not sure if this move will be worth it, but at this time I think it's best to try to maintain the talent invested in the defensive line, assuming Quinn moves to the 4-3 defense. That means keeping Coples on contract for 2016 and renegotiating as necessary. Re-signed Jet Free Agents Damon Harrison (1/$3.4M) - The Jets put the first round tender on Damon Harrison. A 1st round pick is more than reasonable compensation for if a team wants to pick him up, and the relatively high cap charge rewards his prior performance and makes him a factor for a potential comp pick in 2017, should he get signed elsewhere. Depth and value signings - Greg Salas (2/$2.4M, $1.2M) Jaiquawn Jarrett (3/$2M, $0.7M) - Exclusive Rights Bilal Powell (2/$3M, $1.5M) Leger Douzable (2/$3M, 1.2M) Free Agency Rahim Moore, FS, Broncos (4/$23M, $5M) - The prize of Free Agency. The numbers here are intentionally mirrored by TJ Ward's contract because I don't think the Broncos will want to match this bid based on money recently spent on Ward and CB Chris Harris while they have other key players to re-sign. This move makes a talented safety duo where Moore can thrive playing center field and in pass coverage while Pryor develops in a role more suited to his talents. Mike Iupati, OG, 49ers (4/$20M, $4.4M) - A move to solidify a leaky offensive line. The recent draft picks will compete for one Guard spot instead of two. He's a better run blocker than pass blocker, so I project him to start on the right side of the line. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens (3/$13M, $4M) - A deep threat receiver that opposing defenses will have to account for. His true value isn't necessarily in stats (not that he wouldn't be targeted or catch the ball), but in the space he opens for Decker, Kerley, and Amaro. He gets signed for way cheaper than we could ever dream of re-signing Harvin. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seahawks (2/$11M, $3M) - Maxwell gets signed to a "prove it" style deal with some extra benefits. He would get $4M in cash in 2015 and has a shot to make legit CB2 money in 2016 if he shows he can fill that role. If it doesn't work, he gets cut with only $1M in dead money at the end of the season. Justin Durant, Weak OLB, Cowboys (2/$4M, $1.5M) - A sneaky steal from a cash strapped organization. Durant is a cheap starting option as the Jets transition to the 4-3. Jake Knott, Weak OLB, Dolphins (2/$1.5M, $0.7M) - A depth signing with hope that Knott's success at Iowa State can be rekindled after a rough start in the NFL. If he makes it through this contract, he could be kept on the cheap for a while as an exclusive rights free agent. Matt Moore, QB, Dolphins (1/$4.5M) - With Tampa and Tennessee having the top 2 picks and Mariota not yet sure whether he will declare for the draft or make a victory lap in Eugene, the QB market looks to be a barren wasteland. There is absolutely no reason to expect the QB position to be fixed in 2015. Matt Moore gives Geno some solid, not to old competition while the new coaches evaluate whether either guy can be part of the team's future. The plan would be to have Moore or Geno be the Week 1 starter, then look to make a bigger move at QB in 2016. The Draft Pick 6 - Traded to Minnesota with 7th Rd. pick in exchange for Picks 11 and 45. I've said this in another thread, but I think the Vikings could see themselves as a couple pieces away from playoff contention, and they've shown in recent years to be willing to make a deal. The Vikings trade up to get Shane Ray, Dante Fowler, or Randy Gregory if he happens to be available. La'el Collins, OL, LSU (1st Rd) - A versatile offensive lineman that gives the Jets options as they start to build the offensive line of the future. The Jets would get to test different combinations to find who has the best chemistry, plugging this guy in around the line. PJ Williams, CB, Florida State (2nd Rd) - Milliner and McDougles' returns, Maxwell and Williams' additions, and the experience gained by Walls and Marcus Williams this past season should be enough to at least see improvement in the secondary, especially if the safety position shapes up with Moore added to the mix. Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA (2nd Rd) - The athletic Butkus award winner. Sam and Mike linebacker can be held by Kendricks and Demario Davis in some combination. In the future, the linebacking corps can be build around Kendricks if Davis doesn't make the transition very well. Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State (3rd Rd) - Grayson is a quality QB talent that ran a pro system in college under McElwain. He could start if the team gets struck by injuries and bad play, but the idea would be to let him develop from the bench. Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan (4th Rd) - Another versatile linebacker to add to the mix. He would probably sit on the bench, but he could take come in if Davis or Durant aren't cutting it. Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas (5th Rd) - Built similarly to Ivory, he will get the chance to spend time developing under Ivory and putting his talent to good use. If Ivory gets injured, the hope is that Brown could pick up some of the slack as a power back while Powell sets the baseline of production.
That's a lot to take in. Let me set the bottom line. Between an expected salary cap increase and cap rollover, these will leave the Jets with about $20-22M in cap space. That is plenty of money to sign camp competition and have leftover space for potential mid-season transactions, should they need to occur. There are still holes that will likely need to be addressed in the coming years, particularly at QB, CB, and LB, but as I said to start out, there is a lot of work to be done to get this roster ready for consistent playoff contention. The moves made here, in my opinion, solidify the areas surrounding those positions and set the Jets up to improve those spots in 2016. Since this is a message board, your questions and comments are encouraged. I obviously put a decent amount of time into this, so I thank you for taking a look. Here is a projected depth chart for Week 1 of 2015. QB - Moore, Smith, Grayson RB - Ivory, Powell, Brown FB - Bohanon WR X - Decker, Evans WR Z - Smith, Graham WR Y - Kerley, Salas TE - Amaro, Cumberland, Sudfeld OT - Ferguson, Giacomini, Dozier OG - Iupati, Collins, Aboushi, Winters C - Mangold, Freeman DE - Wilkerson, Inemkpali NT - Harrison, Barnes DT - Richardson, Douzable DE - Coples, Babin WLB - Durant, Knott MLB - Davis, Ryan SLB - Kendricks, Reilly CB1 - Milliner, Walls CB2 - PJ Williams, Adams SCB - McDougle, Marcus Williams FS - Moore, Allen SS - Pryor, Jarrett, Miles
There are no Khalil Macks in this draft, I would pass on a outside linebacker in round 1. I think the offensive line being addressed till round 3 is too late. I think instead you go offensive line in round 1, MLB in round 2 you got a good start. BTW, I think it's best the Jets look to go CB via FA.
I can tell you right now, with a new GM and coach coming in, there is no way that the new regime would be satisfied with Matt Moore. Also, look at what the Jets have done every time there is a QB transition. Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Woody is going to want someone who is the solution, not a stop gap. I expect the Jets to make a major move for a QB in the draft or possibly be trade partners for Jay Cutler.
Nicely put together. I really am unsure of whether sticking with the 3-4 or switching to the 4-3 is better. A move would seem to benefit Quinton Coples, but would also leave two huge holes at LB and would it make Wilkerson, Richardson or Harrison any better? 7 years seems like just a bit long for Mo and I wonder if he could resign for a little less than 11M per year. Still good to have it done. Percy probably won't take a pay cut, especially one that big. I think restructuring to reduce the cap impact is more realistic, but that contract looks more reasonable. I wouldn't resign Ivory just yet. He's been great, but RBs can slow down fast and this one has injury history. I'd at least wait until the middle of next season if he continues to play well. Other resignings seem reasonable; good to bring guys back to compete, but I wouldn't give Salas 1.2M per year. Fine free agency additions if the team moves to the 4-3. I think Iupati will demand more years and more per year. But the Jets will have the space and can get just as good or better free agent guards too. I want a free agent CB too, however. There are a lot of young guys that could make for a solid group, but still relatively unproven. Kareem Jackson has really come on for Houston and is a FA (also guys like Byron Maxwell, Tramon Williams, Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver are around. Not too bad of a draft... I'd have to look more into Thompson. I'm not a big fan of Taylor Kelly. I've seen him play just a little and I didn't like what I saw at all. Overall, not a bad looking team - seem to upgrade some spots, but I would like another somewhat quality QB brought in either via free agency, trade or a higher caliber draft prospect
I like this for the most part. I think upgrading the FS and OL during FA is very smart but we probably should bring in a veteran CB on a cheap 1 year deal as well, wouldn't be a bad idea to do the same with a WR either. Like you if we don't get Mariota I really don't care to draft a QB this year but I'd prefer taking a risk on Sam Bradford or even RGIII if available, I'd stay far away from Cutlers contract and interceptions. I really hope we do switch to a 4-3 but im not sure an OLB is worthy of the #4 pick unless we traded down I'd rather take a guy like Amari Cooper.
I mostly like this except for the early draft and lack of CB in free agency. Why not make a play for Brandon Flowers?
I like the Shaq Thompson pick, I'm a huge fan of his, and I think he's clearly better than Vic Beasely. He'll provide elite speed at the OLB postion, which we will most definitely need if we make the move to a 4-3 base defense;we haven't had a great speed rusher in years!. I don't know much about the Corner you have us selecting in round two, but I'd rather see us address corner in FA with a guy like Maxwell. Jake Fisher is another sleeper of mine as well, he needs time, but I expect to be a very good NFL player, and I can potentially see him beating out Giaccamoni for the starting position at RT in a year or two. Overall, I'd say you did a great job, and I wouldn't mind an offseason such as this.
Very thorough, good job. My thoughts: - I don't like Coples & Wilkerson as starting DE's in a 4-3. Both would have to be a LDE in that system. - The offense needs a lot more work than just adding Iupati and Matt Moore. - CB is one of the weakest spots on the teams and we have to do more than just add a 3rd round corner and expect him to start.
Thanks for the comments, folks. I get the hate for Matt Moore being the move at QB, but there really aren't any appreciably better options. Bradford and Griffin both have have another year under contract unless they get cut, and I don't think their respective teams are in a good position to do that. Sanchez, Hoyer, Mallett, and Locker are some of the more desirable FA options this season. Just click this link and look at the difference between QBs available in 2015 and 2016 and you'll see why I'm going cheap at the position. http://overthecap.com/free-agency/ With another look, I think the general consensus here is probably right about my treatment at CB. I'll have to give that another look. I originally had Buster Skrine slated for a short term contract, but I felt it was too small of a move, both figuratively and literally. Maybe that would rearrange the early draft and pick up an OT earlier. Like I said, I'll have to play around with it.
Can't please everybody, it's the Jets so someone will always complain about the pick. If we got Winston someone will say "the circus continues" or "NY will eat this kid alive." If we got Cooper someone will say "he's too tiny, he's no AJ or Julio" or they'll make some kind of excuse for taking a receiver in the top 5. If we took any offensive linemen, it would be the same excuse as with Cooper. If we took any defensive player, this fanbase will riot. It is simply out of our control.
I wouldn't mind Locker, but the only problem is he can't stay healthy. I want Bradford, but there's no guarantee he gets cut.
Cooper is 6'1 210, he is not tiny. Odell Beckham Jr. is 5'11 198 and he is a BEAST. Cooper is just what the JETS need to get their offense moving in the right direction with whoever plays QB next year.
In case you didn't pick up on it, the stuff in quotations is what I've seen people on this board say.
In case you didn't pick up on it, this is my opinion on your findings for what was said in regards to Cooper and his size.
