2. Offensive Line
The Clady acquisition is a high-risk, high reward venture for the Jets in 2016, but it isn’t a long-term solution. Clady, 29, is coming off of a torn ACL that kept him out the entire 2015 season. He’s previously suffered a torn patella tendon and a Lisfranc foot fracture and is far from a sure bet to play all 16 games next season. He’d also have to play pretty well for the Jets to pick up his $10 million option in 2017.
When healthy, Clady is one of the top pass blockers in the entire league. But the Jets still have a couple of glaring holes along a regressing offensive line.
Right guard is the most tenuous spot on the line. Fourth-year pro Brian Winters is the incumbent starter heading into 2016, but he was merely average last season. Winters received a 53.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus that ranked 58th among guards.
The Jets could also afford an upgrade at right tackle, as Breno Giacomini was below average in 2015. Giacomini received a 36.3 overall grade from PFF, ranking 64th among offensive tackles. His 36.0 run blocking grade was also indicative of a regression.
There should be options for the Jets in the first round. Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin and Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker possess the most upside outside of Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who will likely be taken in the top three. If all three are off the board, Texas A&M lineman Germain Ifedi could be in play.
Ideally, the Jets would find a lineman who can start immediately at right guard with the potential to kick out to either tackle position in 2017. The Jets need to establish more depth on the line and find an eventual replacement for the aging Nick Mangold.
