The New York Jets didn’t end the season like many expected and now have some salary cap issues that need to be addressed. They need to fill major holes in order for this team to be considered a contender as the new league year starts March 9th. General Manager Mike Maccagnan, who’s entering his 2nd season with the Jets, only has $4 million in cap room left after franchise tagging DE Muhammad Wilkerson and releasing CB Antonio Cromartie. His job this offseason is to fill holes and get Gang Green back in the playoffs.
Here are 8 things Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets must do this offseason in order to improve their team:
8. Re-Sign ILB Erin Henderson and DT Damon Harrison
While his 2015 stats might not be very impressive believe he’s still better than Demario Davis. Davis was such a disappointment this season and even lost playing time. Just 2 years ago in Minnesota, Henderson was a star by recording 112 tackles but eventually got in trouble outside of football. If he can stay out of trouble, this would be a steal for the Jets.
You cannot deny that Harrison is a Top 3 defensive tackle in the NFL. A guy that plays his heart out and leaves it all on the field, should be paid. Unfortunately, the NFL is a business at the end of the day. If Mac can keep Harrison and Wilkerson, the Jets defensive line will be unstoppable for years to come.
7. Draft a RB, OLB, CB, QB, O-Line
There are great running backs who are free agents like Lamar Miller, Doug Martin, Matt Forte and Arian Foster. However, the only running back I would sign is Miller. In this past season, he finally had his first game with 20 rushes. He is ready to explode but if New York is able to draft Elliot or Henry, that would be better scenario than pairing another RB up with Powell.
The Jets also need another pass rusher. The idea of using Sheldon Richardson at OLB actually worked and is scary but he is not an OLB by nature. Leonard Floyd is the man the Jets should have their eyes on in the draft. He is fast off the edge and, with Pace gone and Mauldin in his 2nd year, he can help this team rush the QB. They need to get younger at cornerback and develop behind Revis. The Jets need to stay in house and not sign another CB. Since the Jets don’t have a franchise QB, they’ve been drafting one every year until they find one which started with Bryce Petty.
Ferguson is getting old and they need to find his replacement. Unfortunately, Mangold is getting old as well but he’s still playing at a high level. Gang Green need to get younger, stronger and faster on the offensive line.
6. Sign RB Bilal Powell at the right price
Nobody knew Powell until he scored 3 passing touchdowns in back-to-back games. He is a great asset and can complement another RB that needs a break. However, let’s not get carried away and throw him money, he is 27 years old after all.
5. Let RB Chris Ivory Walk
Chris was great for 8 games and not so great for the rest. Not every running back is perfect but Ivory is not an every-down player as he gets a ton of medical help throughout the season. He might give a beating but he beats himself up at the same time.
4. Sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
I remember saying Fitzpatrick is terrible when he played in Buffalo. In 2015, he broke Jets’ QB records. Yes, we can say Marshall bailed him out of a lot of situations but that’s what playmakers do.
3. Sign DE Muhammad Wilkerson to a long-term deal
Yes, he is an amazing player but he is not worth $15 million. Hopefully, he will take a hometown discount and accept $7-$10 million a year to save the Jets some cap room.
2. Release Players
RB Zac Stacy, TE Cumberland, WR Kerley, and OLB Trevor Reilly should all be released this offseason.
You are probably wondering why I put Kerley. Well, Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey likes to use tall and physical receivers, and guess who isn’t tall or physical?
1. Restructure LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson Contract
Ferguson didn’t have one of his better seasons, is getting up there in age, and getting paid $14 million. It is time for him to take a pay cut. His base salary is $8 million and the rest are incentives.
Free agency starts March 9th and the NFL draft is April 28th. Jets Nation needs to believe in Bowles and Maccagnan. The ‘New Era’ is entering its 2nd season and fans are all hoping for another great year, this time with a playoff berth.
Here are 8 things Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets must do this offseason in order to improve their team:
8. Re-Sign ILB Erin Henderson and DT Damon Harrison
While his 2015 stats might not be very impressive believe he’s still better than Demario Davis. Davis was such a disappointment this season and even lost playing time. Just 2 years ago in Minnesota, Henderson was a star by recording 112 tackles but eventually got in trouble outside of football. If he can stay out of trouble, this would be a steal for the Jets.
You cannot deny that Harrison is a Top 3 defensive tackle in the NFL. A guy that plays his heart out and leaves it all on the field, should be paid. Unfortunately, the NFL is a business at the end of the day. If Mac can keep Harrison and Wilkerson, the Jets defensive line will be unstoppable for years to come.
7. Draft a RB, OLB, CB, QB, O-Line
There are great running backs who are free agents like Lamar Miller, Doug Martin, Matt Forte and Arian Foster. However, the only running back I would sign is Miller. In this past season, he finally had his first game with 20 rushes. He is ready to explode but if New York is able to draft Elliot or Henry, that would be better scenario than pairing another RB up with Powell.
The Jets also need another pass rusher. The idea of using Sheldon Richardson at OLB actually worked and is scary but he is not an OLB by nature. Leonard Floyd is the man the Jets should have their eyes on in the draft. He is fast off the edge and, with Pace gone and Mauldin in his 2nd year, he can help this team rush the QB. They need to get younger at cornerback and develop behind Revis. The Jets need to stay in house and not sign another CB. Since the Jets don’t have a franchise QB, they’ve been drafting one every year until they find one which started with Bryce Petty.
Ferguson is getting old and they need to find his replacement. Unfortunately, Mangold is getting old as well but he’s still playing at a high level. Gang Green need to get younger, stronger and faster on the offensive line.
6. Sign RB Bilal Powell at the right price
Nobody knew Powell until he scored 3 passing touchdowns in back-to-back games. He is a great asset and can complement another RB that needs a break. However, let’s not get carried away and throw him money, he is 27 years old after all.
5. Let RB Chris Ivory Walk
Chris was great for 8 games and not so great for the rest. Not every running back is perfect but Ivory is not an every-down player as he gets a ton of medical help throughout the season. He might give a beating but he beats himself up at the same time.
4. Sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
I remember saying Fitzpatrick is terrible when he played in Buffalo. In 2015, he broke Jets’ QB records. Yes, we can say Marshall bailed him out of a lot of situations but that’s what playmakers do.
3. Sign DE Muhammad Wilkerson to a long-term deal
Yes, he is an amazing player but he is not worth $15 million. Hopefully, he will take a hometown discount and accept $7-$10 million a year to save the Jets some cap room.
2. Release Players
RB Zac Stacy, TE Cumberland, WR Kerley, and OLB Trevor Reilly should all be released this offseason.
You are probably wondering why I put Kerley. Well, Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey likes to use tall and physical receivers, and guess who isn’t tall or physical?
1. Restructure LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson Contract
Ferguson didn’t have one of his better seasons, is getting up there in age, and getting paid $14 million. It is time for him to take a pay cut. His base salary is $8 million and the rest are incentives.
Free agency starts March 9th and the NFL draft is April 28th. Jets Nation needs to believe in Bowles and Maccagnan. The ‘New Era’ is entering its 2nd season and fans are all hoping for another great year, this time with a playoff berth.