Cleveland Browns John Johnson III celebrates his interception against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal] Browns6
While the Aaron Rodgers saga plays out between Joe Douglas and the Green Bay Packers, there are a handful of remaining free agents that Gang Green should be considering.
Yes, Douglas and the Jets have gone out and added wide receiver Allen Lazard, offensive linemen Wes Schweitzer and Trystan Colon-Castillo while retaining Solomon Thomas and Greg Zuerlein, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.
With the first wave of free agency over and done with, here are some options the Jets should be considering in the coming days and weeks.
OT Cameron Fleming: The Jets were reportedly in on free agent offensive tackle Orlando Brown but came up short as the linemen decided to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. With plenty of durability issues surrounding their current crop of tackles, the Jets should explore Fleming as a player who would likely start at some point during the season. Fleming spent the 2022 season in Denver playing for Jets current offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and was asked to play both left and right tackle. Scheme familiarity and versatility make Fleming a very intriguing option.
Edge Yannick Ngakoue: Jets fans have linked Ngakoue and Gang Green in year’s past in hopes of the two coming to terms on a deal but that never transpired. But now as the team looks to add D-line depth Perhaps the Jets reach out to his camp? Ngakoue has very quietly picked up 19.5 sacks over his past two seasons with the Raiders and Colts respectively.
S John Johnson III: A former starter for the Rams and Browns, Johnson was a converted cornerback who moved to safety at Boston College and had plenty of early success with the Rams. Johnson would break up 22 passes and pick up five interceptions over the course of his first two pro seasons before experiencing a drop-off with the Browns. Given their lack of quality play at the position, Johnson should earn some consideration from the Jets.
C Ben Jones: As mentioned by Brian Costello of the New York Post, Jones is a player who could be moving up the Jets list of priorities as it appears unlikely Connor McGovern will be returning. Expect the Jets to add a player such as John Michael-Schmitz, Juice Scruggs or Luke Wypler to eventually take over, but Jones as a stopgap makes tons of sense.
DL Shelby Harris: Most fans won’t recall Harris’ short stint with the Jets back in 2016 but the team should look at adding him again in 2023. Harris has had a solid career as a member of the Broncos and Seahawks and would add veteran depth in s a spot that’s sorely lacking for the Jets. Having lost Sheldon Rankings and Nathan Shepherd in free agency, Robert Saleh will surely be looking to add multiple bodies to his defensive line rotation. Harris, a starter for the past four seasons on the interior D-line, has picked up sixteen and a half sacks in that time.
S Duron Harmon: We mentioned safety John Johnson above, but if the Jets want to add a defensive back who has “been there, done that” and might act as a mentor, Harmon could be an option. Especially if the Jets plan on adding a safey in the draft. This would mean Gang Green would have one rookie at safety, with second-year player Tony Adams fighting for playing time. Having a guy like Harmon around to take reps and each the kids could pay off.