INDIANAPOLIS — Pressure is on general manager Joe Douglas to fix the Jets’ roster this offseason. That process takes another big step here this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Douglas and the Jets’ personnel department will be here all week evaluating draft prospects, but Douglas will also be working on other duties as the NFL community gathers in Indianapolis.
Douglas has had numerous conversations with his agent and other GMs ahead of free agency, which begins in two weeks.
Robert Saleh is not here and hasn’t attended a combine since becoming the Jets’ coach.
There is a growing trend of not having a coach here. In theory, this means he can get more work done in the office and have virtual access to player interviews.
This week we look at Douglas, who has yet to experience a winning season as general manager of the Jets.
Owner Woody Johnson made it clear at the Super Bowl that he expected things to be different this season. Douglas’ seats are hotter than Taylor Swift’s tickets, and there is no room for error this year.
Here’s a look at some of the things Douglas plans to work on while he’s here:
With a huff
The Jets’ top free agent is edge rusher Bryce Huff, who had 10 sacks last year.
Douglas plans to meet with Huff’s agent this week to get a better idea of what price the Jets will price a player they signed as an undrafted free agent and has since developed into a quality pass rusher.
The Jets don’t want to lose Huff, but the question is how much money he will command.
That situation should come into focus this week as Huff’s representatives meet with teams to begin to get an idea of what they could get on the open market.
Some around the league believe he could earn $17 million a year.
If he gets it, it’s unlikely the Jets can match it.
Draft efforts
It’s no secret that the Jets need to rebuild their offensive line, and the expectation is that the team will draft a tackle with a first-round pick.
Douglas will get a chance to see the top draft tackles up close and interview them all this week. This is still early in the drafting process, but it’s an important step.
Pro days and player visits to Florham Park are still planned.
The Jets will almost certainly need to acquire a tackle in the draft, as the free agent tackle market is weak.
Joe Alto, Talese Fuaga and Olu Fashanu are expected to be the top tackles in the draft. Douglas sees all of that and more.
gambling in las vegas
Trade talks will accelerate this week as all NFL GMs gather in one small area.
The Jets attempted to trade Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams at the trade deadline in hopes of reuniting with Aaron Rodgers.
The Raiders weren’t interested at the time.
They currently have a new GM, and Douglas will likely check with Tom Telesco to see if the Raiders are open to signing him.
Even though Telesco publicly stated “he’s a Raider” when asked about Adams on Tuesday, Douglas still has to privately seek a trade.
There is a pitfall
The Jets need to add at least one impact wide receiver this offseason to play alongside Garrett Wilson.
The wide receiver market should become clearer after this week.
Will the Buccaneers sign Mike Evans to a long-term contract?
Will the Colts sign Michael Pittman?
It’s also possible that the receiver will become available in a trade.
Are there any participants?
The Jets are looking to trade quarterback Zach Wilson, but acquiring anything of value for him will be difficult.
Wilson’s agent has been cleared to speak with the team, but nothing has materialized yet.
Douglas will have a chance to assess the market with general managers and also check with Wilson’s agent to see if any teams are willing to give up anything for the No. 2 pick in 2021.
