New York Jets Offensive Lineman Could Be the Solution to Team’s Offensive Tackle Problem
The New York Jets are facing a major issue heading into the offseason with both of their starting offensive tackles, Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown, set to become free agents. However, there might be a hidden gem on the Jets’ roster that could fill the void.
According to offensive line analyst Brandon Thorn, Carter Warren from Pittsburgh could be a potential starter at offensive tackle for the Jets. Thorn revealed that former Jets player Damien Woody also sees potential in Warren. With the 2024 season approaching, there is a good chance that Warren could step up and become a starter.
Warren’s skills and abilities have caught the attention of experts, who believe that he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL. If given the opportunity, Warren could prove to be a valuable asset to the Jets’ offensive line.
While the future of Becton and Brown remains uncertain, the Jets can find solace in the fact that they may already have a capable starter in Warren. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Warren as he aims to solidify his position as a key player for the Jets.
JETS FACE TOUGH DECISION ON OFFENSIVE TACKLE POSITION
In a recent interview with Parkinson, Jets coach Thorn discussed the challenges of finding quality offensive tackles in the same offseason. Ideally, the team would prefer to fill the position with someone already on the roster, as it is difficult to find two tackles in one offseason. The Jets have limited assets with their draft picks and available cap space, so finding solutions in-house would be beneficial.
One player who could potentially fill the offensive tackle position is Warren, who still has three years left on his rookie contract. While the window to win is typically during a quarterback’s rookie contract, NFL experts believe that other positions can also provide significant benefits. Warren’s base salary for the upcoming 2024 season is $915,000, and he has shown versatility by playing both left and right tackle during his rookie campaign.
Warren, who was drafted as the No. 120 overall pick in the fourth round in 2023, appeared in eight games and made five starts in 2023. If he were to start at either left or right tackle next season, the Jets would have an advantage over most other NFL teams. With a cap hit of $1.1 million, Warren’s salary would rank relatively low compared to other starting tackles in the league.
By having a cost-effective starting offensive tackle, the Jets would save money that could be used to address other areas of need on the offensive side of the ball. This strategy would give the team a competitive edge, as other teams would be spending significantly more for a starting tackle.
According to mock drafts, the Jets are expected to select an offensive tackle with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round. The team’s official website compiled a list of mock drafts from various NFL experts, all of which had the Jets targeting an offensive tackle. The potential candidates include JC Latham, Amarius Mims, Taliese Fuaga, and Joe Alt.
Although these mock drafts provide insight into the team’s current thinking, there is still time for the Jets to change their approach. If they view Warren as a possible starter and sign a player in free agency, the team may opt for a different direction in the first round of the draft.
In conclusion, the Jets face a tough decision regarding the offensive tackle position. While finding quality tackles is challenging, the team has the opportunity to develop Warren into a cost-effective starter. This would allow them to allocate resources to other areas of need on offense. The upcoming draft will provide further clarity on the team’s strategy. Stay tuned for updates on the Jets’ offseason moves.
According to the Source heavy.com