Cap Space
Last year, the Jets had more than $50 million in cap space. After spending big money on coveted cornerback Darelle Revis, and taking up Brandon Marshall’s contract, as well as a load of other signings, the Jets have a cap number of about $135 million. With the new NFL cap set at a little over $155 million, the Jets will have a little less than $22 million to spend. The release of Antonio Cromartie saved about $8 million and with some other cuts they could stretch their cap space to $30 million. The biggest issue is left tackle D’Brichashaw Ferguson who is set to make $14 million next year. The Jets could either restructure his contract, or cut him. Either way, they would get $4-5 extra million.
2016 New York Jets Off-Season Outlook
Re-sign
The biggest problem of this off-season is retaining their players. The Jets have a lot of key players about to hit free agency, unrestricted. They have to decide who they are going to bring back, and who they are going to let walk. At quaterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for the the most touchdowns in Jets history. He had some nice weapons with Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, but there is no question that we saw a different Fitzpatrick. He might command about $10 million, maybe more, especially with other teams looking for a good quarterback.
Also set to hit free agency are key defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison. Harrison played like one of the best nose tackles in the game last year, if not the best. Wilkerson has always been great. If the Jets are able to keep Wilkerson, and Harrison, they would have one of the best defensive lines for years to come, with Richardson and Leonard Williams already there. However, Wilkerson and Harrison will cost $20 million combined and most likely more. The Jets have used their franchise tag on Wilkerson, but it might not be possible to sign all three. Probably the best scenario is to let Harrison walk, and keep Fitz and Wilkerson. Even though he’s not the best player of the three, Fitzpatrick is the most important, because of how rare good quarterbacks are. The Jets won’t get anything close to Fitzpatrick’s production from anyone else next year if they let him walk.
Position Needs
Running back: Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell are set to hit free agency. Ivory is going to get a contract that will pay him about $4 million a year, and Powell will be cheaper than that, around the $1-2 million range.
Best Options: Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Ronnie Hillman
If the Jets resign only Harrison and Fitzpatrick, they will have about $15-20 million left in cap space. In that case, they could probably get away with giving Ivory a four-year, $16 million contract. If they don’t want to do that, or if they sign Wilkerson, they should target Powell and/or Hillman, who won’t be very expensive. I would be surprised if they got more than $3 million a year.
Offensive Line: The offensive line didn’t play great this year. The right side was weak, and the tackle positions weren’t spectacular. However, with their limited money, the Jets won’t be able to sign a high profile tackle or guard. Their only choice is to find solid offensive line pieces in the draft.
Conclusion: The first key to the Jets free agency success is to get as much money as they can. Then they have to decide who are the most irreplaceable free agents on their team? Best case scenario, they will have $35 million to spend on Harrison and Fitzpatrick. Then, they can hopefully retain Ivory, as well as filling in some depth at the offensive line, wide receiver, and tight end position. The draft is where they can find a replacement for Wilkerson, some help at linebacker, and some upgrades at the offensive line.
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