I used cap info from Spotrac and PFF's predictions for the top 100 free agents to put this together. Spotrac assumes a cap of $185M. It cannot be lower than $175M. I think some of PFF's predictions are a bit low, but it's hard to say how the lower cap will impact free agency. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tools/roster/new-york-jets/2021/e8415f07fb96ffc0301e66d839c1b0dd/ https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2021-free-agency-top-100-free-agents Quick summary: I am not suggesting that all or any of these moves will happen. This is just an example of how the Jets could field a contender after trading for Watson. I think bringing in 2 CBs from the 49ers would help install Saleh's defense and improve the biggest weakness on defense. Adding Dupree at DE should really improve the pass rush. The linebackers would be the weak part of the defense, but there will only be 2 of them on the field most of the time and there's a chance Mosley returns as an impact player. Adding Watson, Robinson, and Thuney would be a huge upgrade to the offense. The coaching should really improve production as well. They would still add FIVE of the first 100 players drafted this year. There's obviously questions about the actual cap and if these contracts would be higher or lower, but there's cap room left at the end that should give some wiggle room. Injury concerns for Dupree and Verrett are definitely valid as well as growing pains with adding this many starters and a new coaching staff. The bottom line is that with something close to this being possible, the trading for Watson wouldn't destroy the cap or leave the rest of the roster talentless. Mock Offseason: Starting Cap Space: $75.5M Cuts: [1] Cut Henry Anderson ($8.2M) [2] Cut Alex Lewis ($5.2M) [3] Cut Greg Van Roten ($3.4M) [4] Cut Ryan Griffin ($2.8M) Cap Impact $19.6M Trades: [1] Trade #2 overall, #34 overall, '22 SEA 1st round pick, '23 1st round pick to HOU for Deshaun Watson (-$10.5M) [2] Trade Sam Darnold to the Panthers for their 2nd round pick. ($4.75M) Cap Impact $-6.25 Restructure: [1] Jamison Crowder $28M/3 years, $7M Cap Hit Cap Impact $4.4M Updated Cap Space: $93.25M Free Agency: For the 3 largest contracts, I used the contract information on Spotrac for recent contracts of similar players. The rest of the smaller contracts are from PFF when available with an AAV cap hit. [1] G Joe Thuney $57M/4 yrs, (Cap Hit: '21 - $14.5M, '22 - $17.5M (Brandon Brooke)) [2] WR Allen Robinson $84/4 yrs, (Cap Hit: '21 - $15.7M, '22 - $19.2M (Keenan Allen)) [3] S Marcus Maye $60M/4yrs (Cap Hit: '21 - $7.8M, '22 - $14.8M (Budda Baker)) [4] DE Bud Dupree $14M/1yr, $14M Cap Hit (PFF suggested $10M, Clayton floated $6M) [5] CB Jason Verrett $14M/2yrs, $7M Cap Hit (PFF suggested $5M) [6] CB K'waun Williams $10M/2yrs, $5M Cap Hit (PFF suggested $4M) [7] LB Hewitt $5M/2 yrs, $2.5M Cap Hit [8] G Elfien $2M/1yr [9] LB Luvu $1M/1yr Cap Impact $69.5M Draft: $10M Not going to suggest specific players, but the Jets will have 5 picks in the top 100 (#23, #40, #66, #87, #96) and a draft pick in each round of the '22 draft. Cap Space Remaining: $13.75M The Jets would be committed to $181M for 2022.
Excellent work! That FA class would be amazing! I'd be surprised if the Jets signed that many, but also would be very surprised if Dupree was willing to sign only a 1-year contract. I'm curious why sign two CBs. Do you not think Hall is capable of being a solid #2 CB, or do you think he just needs more seasoning, or is one of the CBs a slot CB or depth?
In this scenario verrett and hall start on the outside unless they draft a cb in the 1st that wins the job. Williams replaces Poole at nickel. Similar players, both FAs, but saleh is familiar w him and he’s from nj.
For some reason I would love to see Curtis Samuel in this new offense. I watched Debo when healthy dominate in this system
Nice job. I don't see us going after Thuney. Man to man blocker and Patriot offensive lineman tend to struggle when they leave. We need smaller athletic guards for this system. Not maulers. I also prefer Godwin to Robinson but if we get Watson, Robinson seems to be ready to bang the door down to come here.
Would you sign an OG in FA? If so, who? Thuney and Scherff are the top two, and Scherff is too old and injured too frequently. Besides, isn't he a man to man blocker? Forrest Lamp? Jon Feliciano?
thanks. From what I’ve read, Thuney does excel in one on one matchups, but he’s also considered to have top level athleticism at the guard position. “Thuney is agile, quick, and lines up his targets with precision.” I would think that’s the type of guard they would target for a wide zone system.
