It’s no secret which position groups the Jets need to fix this offseason.
The offensive line has been discussed for months.
General manager Joe Douglas will now begin trying to resolve the issue.
The free agent negotiation window opens on Monday, and Douglas will need to make some calls to find a lineman to block the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers this fall.
The overhaul of the offensive line won’t be completed in free agency.
Douglas will also use the draft to acquire at least one starting pitcher.
He is expected to use the No. 10 overall pick on a tackle.
But free agency would be the first avenue Douglas could use to reshape the line.
The Jets will need to find three new starters, including center Joe Tippman and guard/tackle Ariya Berra-Tucker, as they are the only starters expected to return in 2024.
The free agent market for tackles looks weak, so Douglas could consider signing two guards, with Vera Tucker at one tackle and a starter at the other. .
His addition to tackles in free agency could allow the Jets to keep Vera-Tucker on their toes.
The top guard market can be expensive. Many teams need him at that position, but there aren’t many good players.
Two security guards were removed from the market on Thursday.
The Rams signed Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million contract, and the Jaguars re-signed Ezra Cleveland to a three-year, $28.5 million contract.
Here are the top guards and tackles ready to hit free agency.
guard
robert hunt (28 years old)
Hunt has positional versatility. He started at right guard and right tackle for the Dolphins. The Jets value flexibility at the lineman position, which could make him attractive. Last season, he allowed one quarterback hit on 376 pass-blocking snaps. PFF rates him as the No. 6 guard out of 79 in 2023. He should probably earn top dollar, probably $16 million per season.
jonah jackson (27)
Jackson started 57 games in four seasons with the Lions and made the Pro Bowl in 2021. Jackson is considered a better run blocker than a pass blocker. PFF rates him 34th out of 79 guards.
Mike Onwenu (26)
Onwenu has played left guard, right guard and right tackle for the Patriots. He has shown durability, appearing in 64 of 67 games over the past four seasons. I project him as a guard for the Jets, but he could give the Jets some options if they want Vera-Tucker to play inside and him on the outside. . PFF ranked him 29th out of 81 tackles in 2023.
Kevin Zeitler (34)
Although Zeitler is older, he has played well for the Ravens over the past three years. He has started 15 games in each of the past nine seasons. The Jets have been blessed with injuries recently, so they need to prioritize his durability. Zeitler may be a better value considering his age. Could the Jets get him for $7 million per season? It might be worth the age risk.
tackle
Jonah Williams (26)
Williams started 49 games in three seasons with the Bengals. He was a left tackle early in his career but switched to right tackle last year. Williams will be at the top of the market, and he expects to earn about $16 million a year. PFF rated him 59th out of 81 tackles last year.
Tyrone Smith (33)
Smith is one of the best tackles of the last decade, but he has struggled to stay healthy and is aging. Will Douglas take a risk on a player with age and injury concerns considering his line has struggled to stay healthy? When he plays, he’s as energetic as ever. He was named second-team All-Pro last year and PFF graded him fourth out of 81 tackles.
trent brown (31)
Another Patriots lineman that the Jets have seen time and time again. Brown started 93 regular season games, playing both left and right sides. He has struggled with weight and may not be a good fit in the Jets’ system.
