he graded out average IIRC, and if I remember seahawk games, he played a lot as a 6th OL/extra blocker.
Just a guess, but maybe the Seahawks scheme wasn't a fit for Fant, but the Jets scheme(zone blocking) will be. Either way, this is a short term deal that won't cripple the cap.
The more I look into this the more I think Fant is likely here for his versatility and not to start (hopefully). If we're going LT 1st round Fant is not starting
$10 mill a year. Spending an extra $5 mill for Conklin sounds a lot better. Resigning an average OT in Beachum sounds a lot better. Hopefully JD sees some hidden value because from all appearances he looks like a downgrade from Beachum. If we draft a LT that is an awful lot to pay for a backup.
In fairness to some of Fant's ratings he was going up against the best pass rushing D line (SF) and a great pass rusher in Donald multiple times a year. He's fairly athletic so hopefully a change of scenery does him well. A bit of a stretch but not a cap killer.
Meh signing , could be good also could flip to right tackle. So I guess it leaves us with insurance if the draft doesn’t fall the right way for a tackle.
I just think it’s a bit unfair to say, to rate Fant considering he played close to half his snaps as a 6th linemen. Maybe he will play better lining up in regular OL sets and playing in a more natural spot instead of as a TE basically.
If it turns out to be 10 per year it’s because he earns it. 13.5 guaranteed is the important number. Sounds like a 2 year 6..75 per deal to me.
He’s not a backup. He’s a solid player. Don’t fall in love with all those rankings. He started as TE in his career, became a OL. http://www.jetsconfidential.com/news/very-underrated-move-by-joe-douglas/
He became a starter for the Seahawks midway through his rookie season and was in line to start in 2017 before he tore his ACL in the preseason, leading the team to eventually trade for Duane Brown before the deadline. Over the past two seasons, the Seahawks have used Fant as a spot starter and as a hybrid tight end on tackle-eligible plays that have become a staple of their offense.
