Free Agency Review: New York Jets Bolster O Line, Tight Ends

Free Agency Review: New York Jets Bolster O Line, Tight Ends
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The New York Jets have been highly active in free agency so far as general manager Joe Douglas looks to turn the franchise around after six consecutive losing seasons. With two top 10 picks in his arsenal and a bunch of cap space, the Jets are hoping this is the year they finally are competitive in the AFC East.

But what have the Jets accomplished so far during free agency that would make folks involved in New York sports betting take notice? Let’s take a look at the players they gained, lost and their current Super Bowl odds:

Players Jets Have Acquired

  • Signed: G Laken Tomlinson
  • Re-signed: WR Braxton Berrios
  • Re-signed: RB Tevin Coleman
  • Signed: TE C.J. Uzomah
  • Signed: CB D.J. Reed Jr.
  • Signed: S Jordan Whitehead
  • Re-signed: S Lamarcus Joyner
  • Re-signed: C Dan Feeney
  • Re-signed: QB Joe Flacco
  • Signed: TE Tyler Conklin
  • Signed: EDGE Jacob Martin

The most significant and most important move the Jets made this offseason was signing Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson. The Jets gave him a huge contract and the expectation is that he will fill their need at right guard. However, that is a bit of change for Tomlinson as he’s played left guard his entire career. But with the team selecting Alijah Vera-Tucker in Round 1 last year, they likely don’t want to move him over to the right side in 2022.

The Jets also signed not one but two tight ends in C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. Both are capable blockers who have shown some receiving upside in the past. Together, they combined for almost 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during the 2021 season. This gives the Jets more weapons and allows the offense to be more multiple. Don’t be surprised if both players are on the field a lot together next season.

Marcus Maye left this offseason for the Saints, but the Jets replaced him with Jordan Whitehead (Buccaneers). Since being drafted in the fourth round by the Buccaneers, Whitehead has started 55 games in the NFL, tallying 25 pass deflections and five interceptions. He’s not quite as good as Maye in coverage, but he is a much better player in the box. Whitehead is an excellent fallback plan for Douglas and the Jets after losing their former second-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Jets also made sure that they held onto a few of their own free agents, such as Braxton Berrios and Tevin Coleman. Both players made impacts in 2021 and will be important role players again in 2022. In addition, Joe Flacco was re-signed; he will be Zach Wilson's back up once again.

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Players Jets Have Lost

  • Traded: LB Blake Cashman to the Houston Texans
  • DT Folorunso Fatukasi to the Jacksonville Jaguars
  • S Marcus Maye to the New Orleans Saints
  • T Morgan Moses to the Baltimore Ravens

The Jets did lose some talent this offseason as Moses signed a three-year deal with the Ravens. He started 16 games for the Jets last year and helped solidify their right tackle spot. They also lost Maye and Fatukasi; both draft picks by the Jets. Both Maye and Fatukasi got big paydays in free agency, so it’s hard to knock the Jets too much for letting them go.

2022-2023 Super Bowl Odds

According to DraftKings New York, the Jets currently have the worst Super Bowl odds in the NFL at +20000. That's not surprising considering how deep the AFC is with talent and where the Jets are in their rebuild. But if Zach Wilson can take the next step in 2022 and prove that he is a franchise quarterback, the Jets might be contenders in the AFC sooner rather than later.

The Jets still have a lot of work to do this offseason to make this roster competitive. But with four picks inside of the top 40 selections in the 2022 NFL Draft and with all their free-agent acquisitions, the Jets should look like a much better team next season.

If you are looking to stay updated on the best sites for New York football betting keep checking out EmpireStakes.com.

Here is a look at our free agency analysis of the New York Giants.

Coming soon: Keep an eye on EmpireStakes.com in the coming days for a free agency preview of the best NFL team in the state, the Buffalo Bills.

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Author

Marcus Mosher

Marcus Mosher covers the NFL, NFL Draft and NFL news for EmpireStakes.com. The managing editor of The Raiders Wire is also a contributor to The Athletic DFW, Pro Football Weekly and FanSided, and previously wrote for FanRag Sports. He hosts Locked On Cowboys Podcast.

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