Given the recent signings I would make Orakpo (and or Cole) and Cromartie my top targets at $7-8 mil per year each on four year deals. After they are locked up focus should be on the trenches and TE.
According to Brian Costello Jets have interest in free agent CB Chris Culliver, per source #nyj Great news.
Per Mehta Sources: Jets aggressively pursuing Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati #nyj http://t.co/QOz8LSzKvC http://t.co/KlNEI3f2VI
According to PFF, Iupati was a sieve in pass protection last year. He gave up 7 sacks on Kaep, one of the most mobile QBs in the league. Maybe last season was an aberration for him, but weak pass pro (and penalties) is precisely the reason fans have been bashing Winters and Aboushi. It is also the most pressing need aside from QB and CB. Geno needs a clean pocket to have any chance at success. I hope they are talking to Boling also at least.
It's the mid/low tier FAs where you have the best chance to actually get growth/value out of your investment, so I'm not upset to see the Jets looking to those markets. Bears just stole McPhee.
Not complaining. Simply sharing info. Correction though, he was actually credited with 6 sacks allowed, not 7, according to this. While 2014 was a successful year for Iupati as a run blocker, he struggled mightily in pass protection. PFF had him rated as the No. 55 guard in the NFL as a pass blocker, and he was credited for six sacks allowed during the regular season. That is a high number for a guard, especially one that will command an expensive contract in free agency.
He's an all pro and pro bowler. At the start of last season there was talk he'd be the highest paid G in the league during the offseason. Sometimes with mobile QBs they'll hold into the ball longer because they always think they can escape pressure. Or maybe it was a fluke. Either way he's a very good guard and I'm sure the Jets front office has watched all his game film and are pleased with him if they are "aggressively" pursuing him.
Bowles had to game plan against Iupati twice a year, I'm sure he knows his strengths and weaknesses better than PFF