As you should be aware, Keller is an unrestricted free agent this year. The Jets have 3 choices: Let Keller walk Re-sign Keller FranchiseTransition Keller If we let Keller walk, we lose all value, and we have to replace him. Yet another starter is gone. However, we don't have to waste any cap space, and will be able to sign another TE. If we resign Keller, we will probably looking at a minimum of $3 Million per year. He has been our top pass receiver in recent years, but moving to a WCO, we can find an alternative, IMO. If we Franchise Keller, it will cost us $6Million. However, we will have the right to trade him, or if someone wants him bad enough, will be compensated with draft picks. Personally, I feel we can draft, or sign a suitable replacement. I believe the most conservative thing to do is let him walk, but the feel franchise tagging him gives us the most value. If we were to Franchise him, what do you think we could get for him?
Keller sucks and we shouldn't want him next year. He can't block and has stone hands for at least 10 games a season. He's basically a just a big, lumbering WR.
He's a good catching TE, his blocking can't be THAT bad considering he was the starting TE during the years when we had a top 5 rushing attack.
Again, like with all these hypotheticals, it's a "if the price is right" situation. Lets call it what it is tho, Keller thinks he's pro bowl material. There's equal or better replacements in FA and this year's draft.
It gets so annoying reading shit like this.. Before he was injured for the whole season, and was cheap EVERYONE loved Keller. When Mark Sanchez was struggling at the beginning of the season EVERYBODY wanted Dustin back because EVERYBODY knew that he was the mist consistent and biggest threat of a target that we had. Now he sat out most the year because of some bum injuries and needing a new contract, and now all you hear is how bad he sucks. If ya simply don't want the Jets to pay him, say that, don't say he sucks because with a functional offense he will be a top TE.
Keller lead the team in almost every season he has been a Jet, so he can't be bad. The question is what do you do with him. I say you tag him, and trade him, but that is just me. If you do tag him, and trade him, what is he worth?
@wildaces, honestly idk what teams would give up for him. I can see a team like Denver or even the Falcons trading a mid round (3rd) for him. One things for sure, if he hits Free Agency, he won't be available too long.
I want no part of Keller. He's mediocre at best; undersized, injury prone, and doesn't always play with intensity. I'd much rather draft a tight end with traditional size, who is also a better blocker.
does he? i haven't seen anything to suggest he was looking for top dollar for his position. did i miss something?
I think this is what it comes down to. Keller is not a #1 TE. He's a tweener, similar to Aaron Hernandez. If the Jets were planning to run two TE's with a big blocker and then a smaller guy on the weakside who was more of a receiver he might be a keeper. I don't think the WCO features that look very much.
What's stopping Jets from signing him for about 3 and then trading? If OP's preference is ultimately to trade, wouldn't it be easier to do after signing for 3 than after franchising for 6?
Not everyone. I've never once considered Dustin Keller even above average. Don't generalize. I have always thought the Sanchez-Keller connection was overrated, because, frankly, it sucks tremendously. And always has. Look at his game logs over his career. He has ALWAYS disappeared for significant stretches. Because he's not any good. He can't block. He doesn't have good hands. I have never understood what anyone has seen in him. He's always been a VERY poor version of Dallas Clark.
I should correct my statement. He sucks for where he was drafted. I agree. He's mediocre. And being the "Jets best threat" doesn't make him good. Just means our offense blows. The day that this team realizes that Sanchez, Greene, Keller, Holmes are all liabilities and have never been strengths is the day they head in the right direction. Just my opinion. It's not being a darksider, just not happy with the players this team has entrusted to be the offense.
I'll further prove my point. I have no stats to support that he's a bad blocking TE, but that shouldn't even need an argument. Regular season stats: 2012 stats = 8 games, 3.5 rcpt/game, 40 yds/game, 2 TD 2011 stats = 16 games, 4 rcpt/game, 51 yds/game, 5 TDs 2010 stats = 16 games, 3.4 rcpt/game, 43 yds/game, 5 TDs 2009 stats = 16 games, 2.8 rcpt/game, 33 yds/game, 2 TDs 2008 stats = 16 games, 3 rcpt/game, 33 yds/game, 3 TDs As you can see, I'm not worried about his injury history, because he really doesn't have one. I see consistency, though. I see a pretty awful pass-catching TE here. A lot of it is Sanchez, sure. A lot of it is also Keller. If this is our BEST receiver, that's a major issue. Show me numbers that support he could even be considered better than an average TE.
