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As the New York Jets wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Combine (March 1-6), they must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve their 5-11 record from last season. The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and reference during the Combine.
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Throughout the 2016 offseason, the Jets danced with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but a new contract didn't happen until the start of training camp. Fitzpatrick won't return, and Geno Smith is a free agent. That leaves Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, plus perhaps yet another draft pick.
There are also needs on the offensive line and cornerback, plus several other areas.
THE BREAKDOWN
2016 finish: 4th in AFC East (5-11)
2016 STATISTICS
TOTAL OFFENSE: 329.3 (26th)
RUSHING: 112.6 (12th)
PASSING: 216.6 (27th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 342.4 (11th)
RUSHING: 98.8 (11th)
PASSING: 243.6 (17th)
NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST
* Option not expected to be renewed
TOP THREE NEEDS
OFFENSIVE LINE
When three 30-somethings are among the four offensive line starters on injured reserve, it's time to find replacements. A lot is needed.
UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)
OT:
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati (36 in December, $9M)
Russell Okung, Denver (option not expected to be exercised; 29 in October, $10.6M)
Rick Wagner, Baltimore (28 in October, $576K)
Luke Joeckel, Jacksonville (G; 26 in November, $5.3M))
Matt Kalil, Minnesota (injury; 28 in July, $4.94M)
OG/C:
Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati (G; 27 in March, $1.89M)
T.J. Lang, Green Bay (G/injury; 30 in September, $5.2M)
Ronald Leary, Dallas (G; 28 in April, $2.55M)
JC Tretter, Green Bay (C; 26, $644K)
DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., Proj. Rd.)
OT:
1/14 Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin, 6-5, 314, 5.29, 1 (underclassman)
2/25 Cam Robinson, Alabama, 6-6, 310, 5.28, 1 (underclassman)
3/38 Garett Bolles, Utah, 6-5, 296, 4.97, 1-2 (underclassman)
OG:
1/33. Dan Feeney, Indiana, 6-4, 304, 5.09, 1-2
2/35. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 305, 5.12, 1-2
C:
1/64. Ethan Pocic, LSU, 6-6, 307, 5.18, 2
2/80. Pat Elflein, Ohio State, 6-2, 300, 5.22, 2-3
CORNERBACK
The Jets badly need a No. 1 corner after bringing back the greats of yesteryear (Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie) didn't work.
POTENTIAL UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)
A.J. Bouye, Houston (26 in August, $1.67M)
Trumaine Johnson, L.A. Rams (27, $13.95M)
Logan Ryan, New England (26, $693K)
Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo (27 in September, $3.02M)
Brandon Carr, Dallas (31 in May, $10M)
Prince Amukamara, Jacksonville (28 in June, $5.5M)
DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht, Wt., Proj. Rd.)
1/10 Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State, 6-0, 195, 1 (underclassman)
2/15 Teez Tabor, Florida, 6-0, 201, 1 (underclassman)
3/21 Marlon Humphrey, Alabama, 6-1, 196, 1 (underclassman)
4/23 Sidney Jones, Washington, 6-0, 181, 1 (underclassman)
5/34 Desmond King, Iowa, 5-11, 206, 1-2
QUARTERBACK
For the 40th straight year, the next Joe Namath probably isn't available in the draft, but the Jets need to take someone anyway, even after selecting Christian Hackenberg in the second round last year.
UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)
Kirk Cousins, Washington (29 in August, $19.95M)
Tony Romo, Dallas (expected to be released; 37 in April, $18M)
Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay (28 in December, $776K)
Brian Hoyer, Chicago (32 in October, $2M)
*Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo (28 in August, $18M)
*Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco (30 in November, $19M)
DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., Proj. Rd.)
1/12 Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina, 6-3, 220, 4.74, 1 (underclassman)
2/20 DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame, 6-4, 230, 4.76, 1 (underclassman)
3/29 Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 6-2, 215, 4.64, 1-2 (underclassman)
4/70 Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech, 6-2, 229, 4.84, 2-3 (underclassman)
5/99 Brad Kaaya, Miami (FL), 6-4, 210, 4.84, 3 (underclassman)
UFA KEEPERS
None
ROSTER REVIEW
MAJOR COACHING CHANGES
--John Morton will be the OC, replacing Chan Gailey, who retired.
DEPTH CHART
Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.
* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.
& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.
QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Ryan Fitzpatrick (UFA). Backups -- *Geno Smith (UFA), *Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- *Matt Forte. Backups -- Bilal Powell, *Khiry Robinson (UFA), Brandon Burks, Brandon Wilds, *Romar Morris.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- *Kellen Davis (UFA). Backups -- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Bostick, Eric Tomlinson.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Brandon Marshall, *Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa. Backups -- Robby Anderson, Jalin Marshall, Charone Peake, Devin Smith.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- *C Nick Mangold, *RG Brian Winters (UFA), LG James Carpenter, *LT Ryan Clady (option not expected to be exercised), *RT Breno Giacomini. Backups -- C Wesley Johnson, LT Ben Ijalana (UFA), RG Brent Qvale, RT Brandon Shell, G/C Dakota Dozier, OT Donald Hawkins, G Craig Watts.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DL Muhammad Wilkerson, DL Sheldon Richardson, DL Leonard Williams, NT Steve McLendon. Backups -- NT Deon Simon, DL Brandin Bryant, DL Anthony Johnson, *DL Julian Obioha, *DL Lawrence Thomas.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- ILB David Harris, ILB Darron Lee, OLB Jordan Jenkins, OLB Lorenzo Mauldin. Backups -- *ILB Erin Henderson, ILB Randall Johnson, ILB Bruce Carter (UFA), OLB Freddie Bishop, OLB Corey Lemonier (UFA), LB Josh Martin (UFA), *LB Mike Catapano, *LB Julian Stanford.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- CB Darrelle Revis, CB Buster Skrine, *FS Marcus Gilchrist, SS Calvin Pryor. Backups -- CB Justin Burris, CB Darryl Roberts, CB Dexter McDougle, CB Marcus Williams, CB Nick Marshall, FS Rontez Miles, SS Ronald Martin, FS Doug Middleton, *S Antonio Allen (UFA).
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Nick Folk, P Lachlan Edwards, KR/PR Nick Marshall, LS Tanner Purdum (UFA).
