The Jets attacked the offensive line last season with the look of a team that understood that they needed to be better up front. The problem is that their approach was more quantity over quality. Now, they will enter the 2020 offseason in a similar boat except for the solace that comes with Mekhi Becton looking a lot like a franchise left tackle.
Left guard Alex Lewis recorded a pass-blocking grade of 55.6 before his season came to an end following Week 11. Pat Elflein fared even worse in the following weeks, recording a 33.9 pass-blocking grade across six starts at left guard.
Similarly, Connor McGovern’s respectable PFF grade rank was driven largely by his run blocking. His 42.7 pass-blocking grade on the season was one of the worst marks at the center position, but he did come on as the season progressed. Greg Van Roten led the interior offensive linemen with a 71.5 pass-blocking grade at right guard.
Lastly, George Fant required some projection heading into the 2020 season as a starting tackle after playing more snaps as a sixth offensive lineman in the 2018 and 2019 seasons than he did at tackle. He ended the year with a PFF grade of 60.7 at right tackle, ranking 29th out of 38 qualifiers at the position. His release could free up over $7 million this offseason.
The tricky thing for New York is that it’s hard to see things getting a whole lot better for guys like McGovern, Van Roten and Fant. All appear to be what they are at this point — players capable of starting but not options you’re particularly excited about. Outside of Becton, the Jets should be looking to upgrade all four positions along the offensive line in the coming years.
Left guard Alex Lewis recorded a pass-blocking grade of 55.6 before his season came to an end following Week 11. Pat Elflein fared even worse in the following weeks, recording a 33.9 pass-blocking grade across six starts at left guard.
Similarly, Connor McGovern’s respectable PFF grade rank was driven largely by his run blocking. His 42.7 pass-blocking grade on the season was one of the worst marks at the center position, but he did come on as the season progressed. Greg Van Roten led the interior offensive linemen with a 71.5 pass-blocking grade at right guard.
Lastly, George Fant required some projection heading into the 2020 season as a starting tackle after playing more snaps as a sixth offensive lineman in the 2018 and 2019 seasons than he did at tackle. He ended the year with a PFF grade of 60.7 at right tackle, ranking 29th out of 38 qualifiers at the position. His release could free up over $7 million this offseason.
The tricky thing for New York is that it’s hard to see things getting a whole lot better for guys like McGovern, Van Roten and Fant. All appear to be what they are at this point — players capable of starting but not options you’re particularly excited about. Outside of Becton, the Jets should be looking to upgrade all four positions along the offensive line in the coming years.
