In a ton of threads, whether discussing our flaws, our future potential, or how we are going to fix the team, eventually someone or several someones get around to pointing out how much cap space we have for the 2018 season and how we can possibly, if not probably, fix our OL or at least go a long towards fixing it. That got my curiosity piqued. Yes, we have cap space, but often times the best players never reach FA, and I wondered who might be available that could help fix our holes. This is a list of potential 2018 NFL Free Agents: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2018/ This is the list of potential OL who might be available: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2018/offensive-line/ Out of that list, following are the players who are 27 and under who could possibly help our OL. Some of the names I know, and would be surprised if their teams don't re-sign them. Most of the players, I've never heard of and have no clue if they are starters or have starting potential, and/or how good they are. Luke Joeckel, OG, 25, Seahawks Greg Robinson, RT, 24, Lions D.J. Fluker, OG, 26, Giants Andrew Norwell, OG, 25, Panthers Garry Gilliam, RT, 26, Niners Justin Pugh, OG, 27, Giants Lane Taylor, OG, 27 Packers Jonathan Cooper, 27, Cowboys Cameron Fleming, OT, 24, Patriots Cornelius Lucas, RT, 26, Lions Ryan Jensen, OG, 26, Ravens Chris Hubbard, OG, 26, Steelers Josh Kline, OG, 27, Titans Chance Warmack, OG, 25, Eagles Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, 26, Texans Senio Kelemete, OG, 27, Saints Brian Schwenke, C, 26, Colts Weston Richburg, C, 26, Giants James Hurst, LT, 25, Ravens LaAdrian Waddle, RT, 26, Patriots Patrick Lewis, C, 26, Bills Oday Aboushi, OG, 26, Seahawks Jack Mewhort, OG, 25, Colts Justin Britt, C, 26, Seahawks Matt McCants, RT, 27, Browns Patrick Omameh, OG, 27, Jaguars Joe Looney, OG, 26, Cowboys Matt Tobin, OG, 27, Eagles Cyrus Kouandjio, RT, 24, Lions Billy Turner, OG, 25, Broncos Marcus Martin, OG, 23, Browns Travis Swanson, C, 26, Lions Spencer Long, OG, 26, Redskins Andrew Tiller, OG, 27, Chiefs Russell Bodine, OG, 25, Bengals Taylor Hart, OT, 26, Eagles Kevin Pamphile, OG, 26, Bucs Corey Linsley, C, 26, Packers Zach Fulton, OG, 25, Chiefs Luke Bowanko, C, 26, Jaguars Gabe Ikard, C, 26, Browns Seantrel Henderson, RT, 25, Bills Charles Leno, LT, 25, Niners Demetrius Rhaney, C, 25, Jaguars Emmett Cleary, RT, 27, Cowboys In addition, Wesley Johnson, Jonotthan Harrison, and Dakota Dozier will be FAs.
Following is a list of potential WRs who might be available. I bolded the ones who I think are the best, but who are unlikely to be available. Alshon Jeffery, 27, Eagles Sammy Watkins, 24, Rams* Taylor Gabriel, 26, Falcons Trey Burton, 25, Eagles Kendall Wright, 27, Bears Jaron Brown, 27, Cardinals DeAndre Hopkins, 25, Texans Albert Wilson, 25, Chiefs Michael Floyd, 27, Vikings Marqise Lee, 25, Jaguars Jordan Matthews, 25, Bills* Michael Campanaro, 26, Ravens Paul Richardson, 25, Seahawks Brice Butler, 27, Cowboys Davante Adams, 24, Packers Cody Latimer, 24, Broncos Keshawn Martin, 27, Lions Allen Robinson, 23, Jaguars Jarvis Landry, 24, Dolphins Justin Hunter, 26, Steelers Rueben Randle, 26, Bears Donte Moncrief, 23, Colts John Brown, 27, Cardinals Aaron Dobson, 26, Cardinals TJ Jones, 25, Lions Marquess Wilson, 24 with Jets now Devin Street, 26 already cut by Jets Bruce Ellington 25, already cut by Jets not healthy Brenton Bersin, 27, Panthers Corey Brown, 25, Bills De'Anthony Thomas, 24, Chiefs Martavis Bryant, 25, Steelers Josh Huff, 26, Bucs Marlon Brown, 26, Broncos Nick Williams, 26, Falcons Tavarres King, 27, Giants Corey Fuller, 27, Saints B.J. Daniels, 27, Falcons Ryan Grant, 26, Redskins Jeff Janis, 26, Packers James Wright, 25, Browns Griff Whalen, 27, Ravens
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2018/running-back/ Following is a list of 2018 FA RBs. I think that this is a position best drafted, but some of you might want to sign a FA RB. Again, I have bolded the names of those who I think best and unlikely to be available. Le'Veon Bell, 25, Steelers Eddie Lacy, 26, Seahawks Rex Burkhead, 27 Patriots Chris Thompson, 26, Redskins Isaiah Crowell, 24, Browns Damien Williams, 25, Dolphins Terrance West, 26, Ravens Lance Dunbar, 27, Dion Lewis, 26, Patriots Orleans Darkwa, 25, Giants Jeremy Hill, 24, Bengals Carlos Hyde, 25, Niners Benny Cunningham, 27, Bears Brandon Bolden, 27, Patriots Brandon Oliver, 26, Chargers Bernard Pierce, 27, Broncos Mike James, 26, Lions Jordan Todman, 27 with Jets now Knile Davis, 25, Steelers Ronnie Hillman, 25, Cowboys Charles Sims, 26, Bucs Jerick McKinnon, 25, Vikings Bishop Sankey, 24, Vikings Devonta Freeman, 25, Falcons Ka'Deem Carey, 24, Bears Juwan Thompson, 25, Broncos Lorenzo Taliaferro, 25, Ravens Alfred Blue, 26, Texans George Atkinson, 24, Raiders Kerwynn Williams, 26, Cardinals
Well a lot of it depends on the development of this team going into next season. The QB spot will depend on Hack but then, that's likely not getting addressed in FA but more in the draft. The RB spot likely needs to be addressed because Forte won't be back, Powell will be 29-30, so he's not a long term solution, and McGuire to me is nothing more then a 3rd down back. Again this is likely to be addressed in the draft. WR will need to be addressed likely via FA. I think Bryant from the Steelers won't be back with them, they can't risk offering a contract and he miss another season. Davante Adams likely is the best out of the group that maybe available...him and Moncrief... TE spot I think will be fine. The OLine needs work via draft and FA. Beachum is just a stopgap...Flemming, Sentrel Henderson are decent options to sign in FA at the tackle spot. Shell needs to show he's an able starter but still you need another tackle. The Dline is fine for the most part. LB's will need an overhaul. Hopefully Lee can be the MLB for years to come but the rest is just camp fodder or vets. I do like Martin with his speed and size combo, and I do like Freddie Bishop but are they the answer? Corners will largely depend on Claiborne's health, but it's unlikely he lasts at least 13 of the 16 games. Burris has potential but I'd feel comfortable grabbing one of the top CB's available (whoever that maybe). IT's a lot of work when it all boils down...
I think a key thing to remember is this rebuild is not going to be completed in one season. This is going to take several years. 2018 will be just the first year of free agent additions. There is no need to spend everything in one off season. We entered the year over the cap so do not have to worry about reaching the cap floor anytime soon and can carry money over. I think this season will go a long way towards showing what exactly we have on this roster. The O line looks bad , but with players being shuffled ,it's impossible to gauge how the final line will come together. They will need time to develop chemistry. Who knows what positions we will need next season. It is just to early to be looking. We have no Idea who will be available. As you stated, many of those FAs won't hit the market. Some who are not listed will due to young players stepping up and teams cutting them. Then the draft has to be considered. Unfortunately the Bills and Browns have so many picks, they can move around and steal a player we may covet. Patience is going to be needed for the next couple of seasons. I don't expect many to have it.... But without it, disappointment is all but guaranteed.
If there is anything to spend money on it's Le'veon Bell give that man a blank check. Entice him with being the face of the franchise the workhorse of the offense. Dangle this top 3 pick in his face saying we are going to get him a QB and supplemental parts for the offense. Sign an OL for help and save the rest of our money for tying up anything we have .. Point being go get Bell any which way.(Except protecting ourselves in the event he does not grow up... weed..etc)
He is looking for way too much money. $15 million a year for a RB is just too much. Especially for a RB with multiple drug suspensions.
I don't think Mac would ever sign Bryant due to character issues. I have mixed thoughts about Adams. He has talent, but I read a time or two last year that GB was growing impatient with him and his drops, but then he had a pretty good season late, so I don't know if he'll be available or not. Moncrief would be a good addition. There weren't many #1 WR prospects on that list, and few of them will be available imo. Shell is running behind Qvale for the starting job, but I think both are probably just pretty good depth-type players and not starting-caliber. I agree that the OL must be addressed in both FA and the draft. I don't know who the best OL prospects are in the 2018 draft, but think we will probably have to get our LT in that draft. I agree that LBs need an overhaul, but unless they do that in FA instead of the draft, they will lose a huge chunk of the fanbase (including me) and rightfully so. The offense has to be addressed. We need to upgrade the OL, need a #1 WR and #1 (and maybe #2) RB, and most importantly a QB. If Claiborne stays, I think we'll have to go with what we have at CB, with the exception of letting Skrine go unless he has a stellar season. They can save $6 million on the cap by cutting him with $2.5 million in dead money. McDougal seems to be coming on strong. He can play either outside or the slot. I think he'll probably play the slot next year, and could wind up starting outside this year opposite Claiborne. Unless Roberts falls on his face this year or doesn't continue to develop, he will be here, Burris will be here, Derrick Jones will be here, Williams may be here, Bryson Keeton may be back, and they'll have Jeremy Clark. I think they may add a FA CB, maybe two, but shouldn't draft one.
I agree with everything you say in this post and was hoping that someone or several someones would make comments to that extent. I was just tired of our cap space for 2018 being thrown around as if it was some kind of panacea and immediate fix, and wanted to take a look at who might be available. It won't be. It should help, definitely, but I totally agree that it's going to take at least 2, maybe 3 years to rebuild this roster. In addition to not knowing our definite needs, and who will be available, another thing to consider with regards to FA is that just because a player is available, doesn't mean that he will sign with the Jets. We may have to seriously overpay to get anyone who could provide any real help, and Mac may choose not to do so. If Woody doesn't wise up, it won't matter to me, because I won't be here. Even if Mac has the ability to develop into a great GM, it will never happen with Woody sabotaging, interfering and giving him orders that countermand what Mac knows he needs to do. The Browns look to finally have an owner who has learned or has hired some quality people to run the franchise and he's staying out of the way. The Bills probably aren't that fortunate, but still, as you said, could move ahead of the Jets and take players that the Jets want and need. Your bolded sentences are particularly spot on.
Yeah, the Jets would have to structure the contract so that if he was suspended for drug use, he would forfeit a significant and appropriate amount of his money in compensation to the team, and I'm not sure if the CBA would allow that or if he'd be willing to accept such a deal, even if he is a Jets fan. I also doubt he'd give the team a discount due to being a Jets fan.
If suspended again it would likely be a full season. Players are not paid while suspended so the team doesn't loose money on the player. Players are paid their salary in 16 game checks so a 4 game suspension would equal a quarter of the players contract. He turned down $12.5 million a year for 5 years with over $40 million guaranteed. He wants at least $15 mill with$60 guaranteed. With 4 years in the league , 3 shortened by injury and 2 by suspension I don't see the Jets spending that kind of money on him. Besides, Pitt would more than likely franchise him again if they can't reach a long term deal.
Question, the Jets (or whatever team) wouldn't have to pay Bell if he was suspended, but would that change the cap situation? Would they still be accountable for his salary that season on the cap, or would they gain cap relief?
I too have noticed the sentiment shifting to spending next season and we're good to go. Unfortunately we are more than a couple players away. I think some of it is due to posters who were not very active during the off-season jumping back into the threads . Nothing wrong with that, but I think it is contributing to the change of opinion.
If we ever fix this team, it'll be by drafting better and above all getting a good QB. It won't be because of free agency.
What else are we paying for? We will have tons of cap to use to get to the minimum. You can def structure in a way to remove yourself from a history of idiot moves you as an organization can offer him what a non garantee'd contract? An incentive based one? 15 Million for a guy that can move the sticks, Be a security blanket to up coming QB, Block in the backfield, line up at WR, & this goes on I am just saying the Jets are in a spot to completely give ourselves a new identity with Bell. It starts with him, then the high round QB, and using the rest of the draft to sure up the offense(OL,Wr, ..etc) Just a dream of mine guys just a fan hoping for some playmakers one day and I think he is possibly one of the more dynamic ones
Path of least resistance while only considering younger players that fit the scheme & can immediately compete for playing time. Gonna be hard to lure much help at WR,TE or RB w.o a QB..maybe w the promise of a top 3 pick?? We're more likely in better position to grab defensive help or OL where we have a history of success in terms of free agency.Not what anyone on here wants to hear but hey..we aren't allowed to have nice things
with the money we have, i'd offer a kings ransom for hopkins. I think he's by far the best WR on that list and easily top 10 in the NFL. i wouldn't mind landry or robinson either some other choices but with baggage that have talent Jeffrey - injuries bryant - asshole who could get suspended watkins - injuries
