Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: New York Jets
With free agency now into its fourth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After an awful 5–11 season, the Jets are clearly in rebuilding mode. General manager Mike Maccagnan cut ties with expensive veterans like Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, and Darrelle Revis. Although the Jets refuse to mention the R-word, their moves so far have made it obvious. Here are the Jets’ five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Signing Josh McCown
McCown is the poster boy for a rebuilding franchise. After spending 2014 with the Buccaneers, they rebuilt around Jameis Winston. McCown then spent two seasons with the perennially rebuilding Browns before signing a one year, $6 million deal with the Jets. Head coach Todd Bowles doesn’t seem to trust either 2015 4th round pick Bryce Petty or last year’s 2nd rounder Christian Hackenburg as a starter, so expect McCown to top the depth chart. However, despite his limitations as a quarterback, McCown’s true value will be as a tutor to Petty and Hackenburg, allowing the Jets to evaluate both young passers for the future.
2 — Signing Morris Claiborne
The second Jets era of Revis Island is over after the team released the veteran due to an off-field incident as well as ineffectiveness. To help replace Revis, the Jets signed former Cowboys first round pick Morris Claiborne to a one year, $5 million prove-it deal. Claiborne has shown flashes of starting ability, but has also struggled with injuries throughout his career. Claiborne saw action in seven games last season, with five passed defensed and an interception.
3 — Signing Kelvin Beachum
A former 7th rounder, Beachum signed a five year, $45 million contract with the Jaguars last off-season, but the deal featured an option to pick up the final four years after one season. Even though Beachum started 15 games, Jacksonville did not pick up the option and Beachum was released. He signed a three year, $24 million deal with the Jets this off-season as a replacement for Ryan Clady at tackle. Let’s see what the Jets can get out of the former Steeler.
4 — Signing Quinton Patton
With Brandon Marshall gone, Eric Decker takes over the number one receiver spot. Quincy Enunwa will be the number two, so Quinton Patton, who joins on a one year, $800,000 contract, slots in as the third receiver. Patton has spent all of his career with the 49ers, with a career year last season after 37 catches for 408 yards.
5 — Signing Chandler Catanzaro
Nick Folk was not retained, so the Jets signed former Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro, who was released after Arizona’s special teams miscues last season. Catanzaro missed seven field goals and four PATs last year, and signed a one year, $900,000 deal with New York.
