Jets report card: Grading the offseason moves

[Elias]

Clear a space on the refrigerator, it's time to post the report card.

The New York Jets have been one of the most active teams, making several significant moves in an attempt to rebound from 4-12. Calling 'em the way we see 'em, our grades:

Move: Signing cornerback Darrelle Revis

Grade: A

Comment: This is Woody Johnson's trophy free agent. He paid an obscene amount of money ($39 million, fully guaranteed), but it's not often an elite talent becomes available on the open market. Revis fills a major need.

Move: Trading for wide receiver Brandon Marshall

Grade: A-

Comment: The student isn't always a pleasure to have in class (ask the Chicago Bears), but the positives outweigh the negatives in this trade. It cost the Jets only a fifth-round pick, plus he's better (and cheaper) than Percy Harvin.

Move: Signing cornerback Buster Skrine

Grade: B-

Comment: The Jets are paying him like a top-20 corner, and he's clearly not. He allowed eight touchdown passes last season with the Cleveland Browns, per Pro Football Focus. But he's a scheme fit and he can play the slot, making Kyle Wilson expendable.

Move: Re-signing linebacker David Harris

Grade: A
Comment: He was the Jets' No. 1 priority among their own free agents. It was pricey ($15 million, fully guaranteed), but if you're going to overpay, you'd rather do it for one of your own. It shows loyalty.

Move: Signing cornerback Antonio Cromartie

Grade: B

Comment: He's a good fit in Todd Bowles' scheme and he will be cast in the proper role -- No. 2 corner. The biggest concern is his age (31).

Move: Signing safety Marcus Gilchrist

Grade: C+

Comment: He's not a true free safety -- and that's what the Jets needed. He can play multiple spots in the secondary, but he's not a ball hawk. The Jets gave him a four-year, $22 million contract, but they can cut him after a year with minimal cap ramifications.

Move: Trading for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

Grade: B

Comment: For the Jets' purposes, he was the best fit in a weak quarterback market. The cost was minimal: A conditional seventh-round pick (2016) and a $3.25 million salary. He could end up starting.

Move: Signing guard James Carpenter

Grade: C+

Comment: After flirting with the top-tier guards, the Jets settled for Carpenter, who hasn't lived up to career expectations. At least the risk was relatively minimal -- $4 million, fully guaranteed.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/50045/jets-report-card-grading-the-off-season-moves

 

[EXPRESS2PENN]

I was liking the play of Jarrett so that's why I don't really understand the Gilchrist signing.

 

[Old#15]

I was liking the play of Jarrett so that's why I don't really understand the Gilchrist signing.

From what I am hearing/reading about Gilchrist is that he is a versatile defender who has good coverage skills and will compliment Pryor. Played SS last two years because he was paired with E Weddle who is more of a classic FS. A former #2 pick, supposedly has the athletic pedigree for the FS position.

 

[NYJDraftKing]

Overall I would give them a B+ moving up to an A- depending on how they fill out the roster with depth.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Overall I would give them a B+ moving up to an A- depending on how they fill out the roster with depth.

I can't grade it yet, but the Brandon Marshall trade for a 5th, and reeling in Revis were reason enough to call this a successful off season. Two huge needs filled with very good players.

And then you throw in Cromartie, Gilchrist, and Skrine, and the secondary is guaranteed to be a strength of the team.

 

[Jet Setter]

A report card before one takes a class is irrelevant as this is. Let's take it down a notch and actually wait and see how things play out, Cimini.

 

[sg3]

A report card before one takes a class is irrelevant as this is. Let's take it down a notch and actually wait and see how things play out, Cimini.

Agree 100 percent with the Setter


Let Semen, Womanish and their ilk do rankings of free agency and the draft even before an OTA starts.

Go Jets

 

[JetScreamer]

I have to give them an B+. We overpaid for a couple of guys but that's what you have to do sometimes. I like how we filled our holes in the secondary and added another starting WR.

 

[cysporsche]

Players can talk about the love for the Jets blah blah, bottom line, they only came back or to the Jets because we offered the most money. And on the money note, the last free agent we got a good deal on was Eric Decker last year. We over paid for everyone of the free agents. we should have started with Wilkerson and gone from there. I give our free agent class a B+ only because of age & money.

Go Jets...Cyborg

 

[Greentilldeath]

I have to give them an B+. We overpaid for a couple of guys but that's what you have to do sometimes. I like how we filled our holes in the secondary and added another starting WR.

I agree with this post. Individually I scored

Revis A
Cromartie B+
Skrine C+
Carpenter C+
Marshall B+
Fitz B
Harris B