Almost two weeks into free agency, the Jets roster looks completely different than last season.
Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and D.J. Reed are all gone.
With a new regime in charge, it isn’t a massive surprise that there has been so much roster turnover this offseason. Jets coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey want to put their own spin on a team that finished 5-12 last season and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
That started with signing quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year contract worth $40 million. The Jets also added a few low-risk, possibly high-reward free agents, a significant change from the past when they wanted to win the offseason.
With that, it is time to open up another edition of the Jets Mailbag.
In your opinion, is the Jaxson Dart at seven rumor just a smokescreen to entice other teams to trade up into the top 6 to let their real target fall to them? — @J_B_Hunkamunka
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets selected Dart seventh overall. There were rumors during the NFL Combine that the organization was enamored with Dart and that they still need a long-term solution at quarterback.
Fields’ contract is essentially for one season, and the Jets could release him next offseason. If they did, they would gain $10 million of cap savings if he were a June 1 designation.
Dart, 21, has a ton of experience after starting 41 of the 45 games he played at USC and Ole Miss. In four seasons, Dart threw for 11,970 yards, 81 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Last season for the Rebels, Dart completed a career-best 69.3% of his passing attempts for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions.
If the Jets were to select Dart, it would be wise to let him set for a bit and process the NFL game from the sidelines. He needs to work on his mechanics and decision-making, which got him in trouble, particularly against LSU when he was sacked six times and completed 24 of 42 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Also, Lane Kiffin’s offense at Ole Miss is not an NFL-style offense, and mastering a pro-style system could be a bit of a learning curve for Dart.
I’m not saying the Jets will select Dart, as they have several other needs. However, some people around the organization like his skill set and believe Dart is a first-round talent.
Is there a later round draft prospect that hasn’t been spoken much about that you believe the Jets should consider drafting? Could even be a UDFA flyer — @Christianlg_67
I have several, but one is Ole Miss defensive tackle J.J. Pegues. At 6-2, 309 pounds, Pegues moves well for his size and could be a solid run stuffer at the next level. During his time with the Rebels, Pegues registered 126 tackles, including 42 tackles last season, along with 14 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
The Jets have added three defensive tackles this offseason, (Byron Cowart, Derrick Nnadi and Jay Tufele), but Pegues is someone they could develop for the long term, and they could get him on Day 3 of the draft.
Other potential late-round prospects I like include Virginia Tech pass rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.
Thoughts on Kyle McCord or Jalen Milroe as a possible pick for the Jets? And what do you do with Jordan Travis if they grab a QB in this draft? — @jetslandingzone
Regarding Travis, you must remember that Glenn and Mougey did not select him, so they are not loyal to him. I expect that no matter what happens in the draft, the Jets will bring Travis into camp and let him compete for a job or, at the very least, a spot on the practice squad.
Now, McCord and Milroe could potentially be Day 2 selections for the Jets. From what I understand, Glenn likes quarterbacks who can move inside and out of the pocket. McCord isn’t as athletic as Milroe is, but he is a more accurate thrower inside the pocket.
Milroe has many of the qualities you love in a quarterback. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his arm and legs. However, Milroe tends to make bad decisions when pressure gets in his face.
If the Jets target a quarterback on Day 2, McCord and Milroe could be good developmental options.
Without grading on a curve, what letter grade do you give Jets management for its free agency efforts? — @MrEd315
I know Jet fans are used to making big splashes in the offseason. But I actually respect what Glenn and Mougey have done after the team had 27 free agents this offseason.
The Jets didn’t sign many big-name free agents, and maybe that was the point. The last two seasons were pure chaos with the media attention the Jets received from both the league and television networks, fairly or unfairly.
For all the fans hoping the Jets go all in to compete for a playoff spot in 2025, they are not building a team to compete for one season. This is about long-term stability, something it took years for the Detroit Lions to achieve.
To answer your question, I give the Jets a C for their free agency efforts so far. Shopping in the bargain bin for free agents in Year 1 isn’t the worst thing in the world. It also allows the Jets to evaluate talent and see who could remain on the roster past next season.
Jets fans have to understand this would never be a one-year fix. If it were that easy, the Jets would not have missed the playoffs the last 14 seasons.