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You can’t fill them all . . .
Unfortunately for NFL teams, in a league with a salary cap, it’s hard to be loaded at every position, it’s hard fill every need exactly how you would like.
So many fans want the Jets to sign a big ticket free agent wide receiver like an A.J. Green or Amari Cooper, or draft somebody like Jerry Jeudy or Ceedee Lamb with their first-round pick.
It’s understandable why they feel that way. They feel the Jets need more weapons for QB Sam Darnold.
But the bottom line the Jets have myriad holes, including needs on the offensive line, defensive end (edge-rusher) and cornerback (they don’t have a #1 CB right now).
You could make an argument that the only position that they don’t have a pressing need is at tight end. The combination of Chris Herndon and Ryan Griffin could be special, and they also re-signed the underrated Daniel Brown, along with blocking force Trevon Wesco along with a guy they quietly added at the end of the season, Ross Travis, a former Penn State basketball player, who is tall (6-6) and very athletic.
But every other position needs help.
So brace yourself Jets fans – receiver might not a position Joe Douglas put at the top of his list in free agency and the draft. And by the way, this is one of the deepest wide receivers drafts in recent memory.
Douglas knows a top priority is building dominating lines on both sides of the ball. The former college offensive tackle knows how important it is to build form the inside-out.
I am of the opinion the Jets #1 need is edge-rusher. It’s hard to have a top-shelf defense with a game-wrecker coming off the edge. So whether it’s in free agency (Yannick Ngakoue or Shaq Barrett) or the first round of the draft (K’Lavon Chaisson), the Jets better come out of this off-season with a defensive end the other team needs to game plan for every week. Hey, Joe knows this. Baltimore always had them, and so did Philly, two of his former employers.
But here are couple of things to consider about the Jets wide receiver situation.
First off, they have some players they really like in that room, including former Tennessee Volunteer Josh Malone, who was so good on the practice squad last year, they promoted him at the end of the year. He has a terrific size-speed ratio, and word has it that Jets wide receiver Shaun Jefferson loves the player.
The second thing is there is a very good chance Robby Anderson doesn’t get the $14-15 million-a-year he is reportedly looking for in free agency. First off, his size might scare off some teams. He’s a lanky 6-3, 175 pounds. Look, he’s listed at 190 pounds, but according to a league source, he plays at around 175. So his thin frame could scare off some suitors from a durability standpoint. Also, his off-the-field issues in the past, including to run-in with police in Florida, will scare some teams. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but this stuff scares teams in free agency. So the Jets might end up getting him back at their price.
But the bottom line is, Jets fans should prepare themselves for Joe Douglas not going crazy with wide receiver shopping.
He’s focused like a laser on getting the trenches fixed.
And you can always find receiver. Just think, the NFL’s best receiver, New Orleans’ Michael Thomas, was a second-round pick.
February 20, 2020
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