Doing a position by position breakdown in midst of the NFL Combine to get a better overall picture on what may happen and whom they may target heading to the NFL Draft this year.
Quarterback: It is simple retain Fitzpatrick for no more than two years to continue the development of Bryce Petty. The Geno experiment should finally come to an end. Drafting another quarterback would be a luxury not a need. Could find a mid round prospect or sign an un-drafted free agent.
Running Back: Three of four are unrestricted free agents, one may return (Bilal Powell) who is actually a perfect fit for this particular offensive game plan. Zac Stacy is coming off injured reserve with no time table if he may be ready for training camp. Stacy will at least be around until preseason, entering final year of rookie deal very affordable. Signed former third round of the Pittsburgh Steelers return specialist Dri Archer who could add depth to the position. The focus would be to draft at least one of the top backs in this year's draft if not two.
Two options: Alex Collins, Arkansas & Peyton Barber, Auburn.
Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall will be turning 32, and Eric Decker is an injury waiting to happen. Both are legit starters but for how long? Devin Smith another injury interrupting his development in off season workouts. Quincy Enunwa has found his role on this team as H Back. Kenbrell Thompkins should be back and be a solid addition, leaving questions when or if Jeremy Kerley is here to stay or does he have both feet on the runway waiting for takeoff elsewhere? Top prospect LaQuon Treadwell may fall to end of first round, Tyler Boyd boosted his stock and possibly moving him up into the first round.
Mid round prospects: Kenny Lawler, Marquez North, Tajae Sharpe.
Tight End: Jeff Cumberland is more than likely heading out of Florham Park. Kellen Davis looks to be on the move this off season. Zach Sudfeld should return to compete for a role next season. Wes Saxton also should be in consideration to make the active roster but the main question is there a role or spot for Jace Amaro. Amaro coming off torn labrum injury he sustained in the first preseason game this last season.
Offensive Center: After Nick Mangold, the only player(s) with experience playing center aren't likely to be depth moving forward. Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier and Wesley Johnson have limited potential to be Mangold's replacement when he decides to hang them up. So sooner than later, this should be an area of concern heading into this year's draft.
Mid Round Prospect: Jack Allen from Michigan State makes perfect sense, he maybe short in stature but he makes up with tenacity. Allen could sit behind Mangold for one or two years before taking over.
Sleeper Prospect: Duke, Matt Skura is an intriguing option.
Offensive Guard: James Carpenter is the real deal. Even Brian Winters showed enough to consider him to be next year's starter. The word is both Jarvis Harrison and Dakota Dozier have potential, but how much are they confident in both these two young interior lineman moving forward? Could the Jets be looking to upgrade? Free agency or Draft?
Offensive Tackle: D'Brickashaw Ferguson is physically declining and isn't worth his contract either look to restructure or trade/release him. Brick has $5 million in dead loss, so restructuring him looks to be the best option for the short term. On the opposite side Breno Giacomini was worse than horrible last season. Jets are noted in liking Breno's backup in Brent Qvale but could look into the draft to compete for the job. The top prospects look to be out of reach.
Thee Mid Round Prospects: Georgia's John Theus, Stanford's Kyle Murphy, and N. Dakota State's Joe Haeg.
Sleeper Prospect: Oregon's Tyler Johnstone.
Safety: Marcus Gilchrist signing last off season proved to be a successful signing. Calvin Pryor looks to continue his outstanding season. Dion Bailey should be inline to see more playing time. Leaving the question four or five safeties, three are free agents this off season. Does any of the three warrant a new contract or shall the front office look into free agency for viable replacements. Rontez Miles had a solid campaign and Antonio Allen is a complete defensive back able to play all positions in the secondary would be foolish not to try to retain these two. The third safety Jaiquawn Jarrett looks to be expendable.
Corner: Antonio Cromartie was a cap casualty last week. Darrin Walls is an unrestricted free agent. Looking into the immediate future the next two years will leave this position vacant, so looking into the draft should be an option. Early first round consideration could be Ohio State's Eli Apple and Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller.
Sleeper Prospect: Eric Murray from Minnesota has too much potential to be a fourth round prospect.
Middle Linebacker: The assumption is the Jets' front office and Erin Henderson's camp have started negotiations on a contract extension. It is assumed Henderson will replace Demario Davis (UFA) as the new starter at the "Will" middle linebacker position. David Harris is under contract for two more seasons and should retire a Jet, second year man un-drafted free agent Taiwan Jones looks to be inline to be his heir apparent. The only question is will they re-sign Jamari Lattimore, look into free agency or draft a backup "Will" middle linebacker to be Erin Henderson's role player and heir apparent. Reggie Ragland is a good run defender but lacks the potential to play in space. Basically Ragland is a two down player.
Mid Round Prospects: Scooby Wright III out of Arizona and Tyler Matakevich from Temple are perfect options.
Outside Linebacker: So many questions to when will this position be the strength of our defense. Lorenzo Mauldin looks like he is on his way to being a sound rush linebacker. Trevor Reilly has potential to be a play maker as well. Signing Freddie Bishop to join a talented core was a brilliant move by second year GM Mike Maccagnan. Second year man Deion Barnes un-drafted free agent last year looks to make his case for an active roster spot. Julian Howsare the two way player also brings a lot of upside to the table. Josh Martin and Julian Stanford both could be inline to compete for the other starting role. Many see the glass half full, but boy is this glass over flowing with rich talent.
Free Agents Options: Olivier Vernon and Tahir Whitehead make perfect sense if the team is looking for starting experience.
Defensive Tackle: Will they or won't they retain the best nose tackle in the game? To let Damon Harrison walk is foolish and even tho he is considered a two down player he is the best at what he does. Sheldon Richardson a defensive tackle (DE) in a 3-4 has his off the field issues but it doesn't look like the team is ready to throw in the towel on him. Last year's rookie day three prospect Deon Simon showed a lot of potential and seems ready to take the next step forward.
Defensive End: Will they re-sign or franchise tag him (Muhammad Wilkerson)? If they can not re-sign him are they comfortable in tagging him and trading him? What is his value? $15.7 Million tag for 2016, and if they can not come to an agreement on an extension next year's tag would be in the $18 Million range. Is it worth it? Second year man Leonard Williams shown a glimpse at times last season on what he could potentially bring to the table making the decision on Mo that much easier. The main question, after the decision on Wilkerson what is the depth behind both defensive end positions? Will the team try to retain Leger Douzable, Stephen Bowen or look to free agency or the draft for talent.
Kickers: Ryan Quigley is a free agent had a rocky season last year. Do the Jets re-sign him or look to either the draft or free agency for a replacement. Same could be said for veteran Nick Folk, whose contract dollars after his season ending injury are being called into question. Bullock signed after Folk went down was inconsistent, but looking into free agency it is slim pickings. There are a couple of rookie prospects, like Florida State's Roberto Aguayo.
Quarterback: It is simple retain Fitzpatrick for no more than two years to continue the development of Bryce Petty. The Geno experiment should finally come to an end. Drafting another quarterback would be a luxury not a need. Could find a mid round prospect or sign an un-drafted free agent.
Running Back: Three of four are unrestricted free agents, one may return (Bilal Powell) who is actually a perfect fit for this particular offensive game plan. Zac Stacy is coming off injured reserve with no time table if he may be ready for training camp. Stacy will at least be around until preseason, entering final year of rookie deal very affordable. Signed former third round of the Pittsburgh Steelers return specialist Dri Archer who could add depth to the position. The focus would be to draft at least one of the top backs in this year's draft if not two.
Two options: Alex Collins, Arkansas & Peyton Barber, Auburn.
Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall will be turning 32, and Eric Decker is an injury waiting to happen. Both are legit starters but for how long? Devin Smith another injury interrupting his development in off season workouts. Quincy Enunwa has found his role on this team as H Back. Kenbrell Thompkins should be back and be a solid addition, leaving questions when or if Jeremy Kerley is here to stay or does he have both feet on the runway waiting for takeoff elsewhere? Top prospect LaQuon Treadwell may fall to end of first round, Tyler Boyd boosted his stock and possibly moving him up into the first round.
Mid round prospects: Kenny Lawler, Marquez North, Tajae Sharpe.
Tight End: Jeff Cumberland is more than likely heading out of Florham Park. Kellen Davis looks to be on the move this off season. Zach Sudfeld should return to compete for a role next season. Wes Saxton also should be in consideration to make the active roster but the main question is there a role or spot for Jace Amaro. Amaro coming off torn labrum injury he sustained in the first preseason game this last season.
Offensive Center: After Nick Mangold, the only player(s) with experience playing center aren't likely to be depth moving forward. Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier and Wesley Johnson have limited potential to be Mangold's replacement when he decides to hang them up. So sooner than later, this should be an area of concern heading into this year's draft.
Mid Round Prospect: Jack Allen from Michigan State makes perfect sense, he maybe short in stature but he makes up with tenacity. Allen could sit behind Mangold for one or two years before taking over.
Sleeper Prospect: Duke, Matt Skura is an intriguing option.
Offensive Guard: James Carpenter is the real deal. Even Brian Winters showed enough to consider him to be next year's starter. The word is both Jarvis Harrison and Dakota Dozier have potential, but how much are they confident in both these two young interior lineman moving forward? Could the Jets be looking to upgrade? Free agency or Draft?
Offensive Tackle: D'Brickashaw Ferguson is physically declining and isn't worth his contract either look to restructure or trade/release him. Brick has $5 million in dead loss, so restructuring him looks to be the best option for the short term. On the opposite side Breno Giacomini was worse than horrible last season. Jets are noted in liking Breno's backup in Brent Qvale but could look into the draft to compete for the job. The top prospects look to be out of reach.
Thee Mid Round Prospects: Georgia's John Theus, Stanford's Kyle Murphy, and N. Dakota State's Joe Haeg.
Sleeper Prospect: Oregon's Tyler Johnstone.
Safety: Marcus Gilchrist signing last off season proved to be a successful signing. Calvin Pryor looks to continue his outstanding season. Dion Bailey should be inline to see more playing time. Leaving the question four or five safeties, three are free agents this off season. Does any of the three warrant a new contract or shall the front office look into free agency for viable replacements. Rontez Miles had a solid campaign and Antonio Allen is a complete defensive back able to play all positions in the secondary would be foolish not to try to retain these two. The third safety Jaiquawn Jarrett looks to be expendable.
Corner: Antonio Cromartie was a cap casualty last week. Darrin Walls is an unrestricted free agent. Looking into the immediate future the next two years will leave this position vacant, so looking into the draft should be an option. Early first round consideration could be Ohio State's Eli Apple and Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller.
Sleeper Prospect: Eric Murray from Minnesota has too much potential to be a fourth round prospect.
Middle Linebacker: The assumption is the Jets' front office and Erin Henderson's camp have started negotiations on a contract extension. It is assumed Henderson will replace Demario Davis (UFA) as the new starter at the "Will" middle linebacker position. David Harris is under contract for two more seasons and should retire a Jet, second year man un-drafted free agent Taiwan Jones looks to be inline to be his heir apparent. The only question is will they re-sign Jamari Lattimore, look into free agency or draft a backup "Will" middle linebacker to be Erin Henderson's role player and heir apparent. Reggie Ragland is a good run defender but lacks the potential to play in space. Basically Ragland is a two down player.
Mid Round Prospects: Scooby Wright III out of Arizona and Tyler Matakevich from Temple are perfect options.
Outside Linebacker: So many questions to when will this position be the strength of our defense. Lorenzo Mauldin looks like he is on his way to being a sound rush linebacker. Trevor Reilly has potential to be a play maker as well. Signing Freddie Bishop to join a talented core was a brilliant move by second year GM Mike Maccagnan. Second year man Deion Barnes un-drafted free agent last year looks to make his case for an active roster spot. Julian Howsare the two way player also brings a lot of upside to the table. Josh Martin and Julian Stanford both could be inline to compete for the other starting role. Many see the glass half full, but boy is this glass over flowing with rich talent.
Free Agents Options: Olivier Vernon and Tahir Whitehead make perfect sense if the team is looking for starting experience.
Defensive Tackle: Will they or won't they retain the best nose tackle in the game? To let Damon Harrison walk is foolish and even tho he is considered a two down player he is the best at what he does. Sheldon Richardson a defensive tackle (DE) in a 3-4 has his off the field issues but it doesn't look like the team is ready to throw in the towel on him. Last year's rookie day three prospect Deon Simon showed a lot of potential and seems ready to take the next step forward.
Defensive End: Will they re-sign or franchise tag him (Muhammad Wilkerson)? If they can not re-sign him are they comfortable in tagging him and trading him? What is his value? $15.7 Million tag for 2016, and if they can not come to an agreement on an extension next year's tag would be in the $18 Million range. Is it worth it? Second year man Leonard Williams shown a glimpse at times last season on what he could potentially bring to the table making the decision on Mo that much easier. The main question, after the decision on Wilkerson what is the depth behind both defensive end positions? Will the team try to retain Leger Douzable, Stephen Bowen or look to free agency or the draft for talent.
Kickers: Ryan Quigley is a free agent had a rocky season last year. Do the Jets re-sign him or look to either the draft or free agency for a replacement. Same could be said for veteran Nick Folk, whose contract dollars after his season ending injury are being called into question. Bullock signed after Folk went down was inconsistent, but looking into free agency it is slim pickings. There are a couple of rookie prospects, like Florida State's Roberto Aguayo.