Perhaps Joe Douglas and the New York Jets were telling the truth when they recently talked about addressing defensive needs in the upcoming NFL Draft.
That’s because on the first day of legal free-agent tampering, New York went after offense in a big way, with some moves that should make second-year quarterback Zach Wilson very happy.
Slot receiver and kick returner extraordinaire Braxton Berrios was re-signed, and guard Laken Tomlinson and tight end C.J. Uzomah were imported from San Francisco and Cincinnati, respectively, and both signings were first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Jets also re-signed running back Tevin Coleman and previously had re-signed safeties LaMarcus Joyner and Will Parks.
They lost one key contributor, defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, who reportedly left for Jacksonville. New signings cannot be officially announced until after 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Here is an analysis of the coming and goings, with an emphasis on the impact going forward:
Signings
Braxton Berrios, WR-KR
Berrios apparently didn’t find as many suitors as he might have liked, but his misfortune is the Jets’ gain. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, announced the new deal, which Rosenhaus said is for $12 millions over two years with $7 million guaranteed. Berrios has formed a chemistry with Wilson on and off the field, as evidenced by their numerous Twitter and Instagram photos hobnobbing with the stars prior to the Super Bowl in southern California last month.
What it means: Veteran slot receiver Jamison Crowder likely will be seeking a new team. Yes, the Jets had both on the roster last year, but didn’t make up their minds about Crowder until June, when they were able to get him to take a restructured deal. It doesn’t make sense to sink a lot of money into one position, especially when Berrios was on a much cheaper contract before his breakthrough 2021 season.
Also, this enables them to leave 2021 second-round pick and potential star Elijah Moore as an outside receiver, where his speed and creative route-running can be used to maximum effect. The Jets might have had to use him in the slot more often had Berrios bolted.
C.J. Uzomah, TE
Uzomah has been a solid performer for the Bengals, averaging just under 40 receptions in 2018, 2019 and 2021, with a career-high 49 catches last season. However, he played only two games in 2020 because of a torn Achilles’, but bounced back to play all but one game in 2021. The deal is for $24 million over three years, per Schefter.
What it means: Uzomah should be a good scheme fit, having played since 2019 for Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor, who uses a variation of the Shanahan-Sean McVay offense. Would the Jets want to hold onto Ryan Griffin, who averaged 9.7 yards on 27 receptions last season?
The Jets could save just over $3 million in cap space, per overthecap.com, by cutting Griffin, who is entering the final year of his contract. (They already are on the hook for $500,000 in dead money for Griffin, alhough he is still on the roster. As explained by Over The Cap founder Jason Fitzgerald, that money was accelerated during the brief time Griffin was cut last summer so the Jets could so some roster maneuvering.)
But offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur likes two-tight end sets, and Griffin worked well with Wilson in checkdown situations. Perhaps the Jets could ask Griffin to restructure, as they did with Crowder in 2021, considering he has no guaranteed money due him.
Laken Tomlinson, G
Tomlinson brings durability and consistency. He graded out at 75.9 last season per Pro Football Focus and 78.8 the season before. The 6-3, 315-pounder has missed only one start in the past five seasons.
What it means: There is one major negative. Tomlinson has played left guard for the 49ers, and with prized 2021 first-round pick Alijah-Vera Tucker already a budding star there, he clearly is being tasked with taking over at right guard after Laurent Duvernay-Tardif didn’t show quite enough in his late-season audition there.
Moving from one side of the O-line to the other is not easy, but it should help that offensive line coach John Benton formerly was San Francisco’s run-game coordinator. (He also holds that position with New York.) Tomlinson and Benton’s familiarity with one another should ease the transition.
Also note this is a third offensive signee that has played in the Shanahan system. It's not a coincidence, and that again makes one wonder about tackle Mekhi Becton’s future with the Jets. Even if he gets his weight down to something manageable, it is unclear if it will be a weight that works for this blocking scheme.
Tevin Coleman, RB
Coleman rushed for 356 yards at 4.2 yards per carry last season and also did some work on kickoff returns before Berrios emerged as the ace at that. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network first reported the re-signing.
What it means: It's a depth re-signing of, yet again, someone intimately familiar with the Shanahan system. Coleman played for two years for the 49ers before signing with the Jets last off-season. The Jets hope he can stay healthier this year after dealing with a concussion and a hamstring problem last season.
LaMarcus Joyner, S
Joyner re-signed Saturday. He played less than a half of Jets’ football after signing as a free agent last off-season, suffering a torn triceps in the season opener.
What it means: Joyner should have a chance to compete for the starting spot he earned last season. Certainly the rest of his body suffered no wear and tear in 2021.
Farewell, Foley: Defensive tackle Folorunso “Foley” Fatukasi intends to sign with Jacksonville for $30 million over three years, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported. It makes sense, because the Jets weren’t going to go that high, and, as I noted here, the Jets’ defensive scheme required him to cover more ground thane he was used to doing.
