NFL free agency is underway, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
The New York Jets enter free agency with needs at almost every position -- they didn’t finish 4-13 by accident. Among the leaders in cap room, they promise to be aggressive, but not reckless, which means don’t expect them to dole out any record-setting contracts. Safety, tight end, wide receiver and guard are the priority positions in free agency. They can double-down on those areas, and address other needs, with their nine picks in the draft. Between free agency and the draft, the Jets should have at least six new starters in 2022. The importance of this offseason can’t be overstated.
Here's a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Jets, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Laken Tomlinson, G
Tomlinson signed a three-year, $40 million contract, including $13.9 million fully guaranteed at signing. His 2023 base salary ($12.7 million), guaranteed for injury only, becomes fully guaranteed next March.
What it means: The Jets landed one of the top guards on the free-agent market, bringing in a tough player (hasn't missed a snap in three years) who already knows the scheme. He played under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur in San Francisco, so it should be a seamless transition from that standpoint. The Jets plan to use Tomlinson at right guard, replacing Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (free agent). Therein lies the question: Tomlinson has played left guard his entire career. That kind of switch, veteran linemen will tell you, isn't a piece of cake. Once Tomlinson settles in, he will provide an upgrade to their interior running game, which stunk last year.
What's the risk? A big contract always comes with risk. In this case, it's minimized by his incredible durability and scheme familiarity. That's what teams covet in the sometimes wild world of free agency. Tomlinson is rock solid, the 13th-rated guard out of 82 in 2021, per Pro Football Focus. This could impact their draft plans with the fourth pick. The idea of drafting a tackle, Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu, and moving him to guard no longer is on the table. If the Jets do pick one of them, it could mean the end of Mekhi Becton.
For now, there’s a chance that Becton will move to right tackle, with George Fant staying at left tackle. Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker are set at guard. The line could be pretty good if Becton is healthy and in shape.
Braxton Berrios, WR
Berrios agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $12 million that includes $7 million fully guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What it means: The Jets retained a valuable, jack-of-all-trades player who fits nicely into the culture they're trying to build. And -- oh, yeah -- he's an All-Pro kick returner. They weren't sure if they'd be able to keep him, but Berrios' market didn't materialize as he had hoped, likely because the draft is filled with slot receivers. Berrios figures to have the same role as last year -- slot receiver/gadget player and kickoff/punt returner. He's not a frontline receiver, but provides depth and allows coordinator Mike LaFleur to run his "jet sweep" package. He has a good rapport with quarterback Zach Wilson, and that's important.
What's the risk: Not much at all. The $7 million guarantee is nothing to sneeze at, considering he's essentially a backup/specialist, but it's money well spent. Berrios is durable and only 26 years old, so he's just entering his prime.
Tevin Coleman, RB
Coleman signed a one-year contract for $1.5 million, including a $650,000 guarantee.
What it means: The Jets are thin in the backfield, so it made sense to bring back Coleman on a modest contract. After Michael Carter, who established himself as the RB1, they have a lot of questions. Coleman, who turns 29 on April 16, can be a solid rotational player if he can stay healthy. He missed six games last season and hasn't played a full year since 2018. He still has plenty of giddy-up; he hit 21 mph last season on a kickoff return, the fastest speed of any Jets offensive/special teams player. He averaged 4.2 yards per rush, finishing with 356 yards.
What's the risk: Coleman's injury history raises concerns about his reliability, but there's not much of a financial gamble. There's not much guaranteed money in the contract and he certainly isn't assured of a roster spot.
C.J. Uzomah, TE
Uzomah signed a three-year, $24 million contract, including $15 million guaranteed at signing -- the biggest up-front guarantee for any player in their free-agent class.
What it means: The Jets see Uzomah as the pass-catching threat that has been missing at tight end, the kind of receiver who can help second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. He's a huge target at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds. His career production is pedestrian, but he posted career numbers last season -- 49 catches, 493 yards and five touchdowns for the AFC champion Bengals. Talk about timing; he hit free agency at the right time. In the Jets, he found a team that was desperate. Since 2012, they have recorded a league-low 489 receptions by tight ends. This doesn't preclude the Jets from drafting a tight end. It raises questions about Ryan Griffin, who could be a cap casualty. Clearly, Uzomah is the new TE1.
What's the risk? This feels like the Jets overpaid a bit; we’ll have a better idea when we confirm the amount of his guaranteed money. The tight-end market was diluted with franchise tags to Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki and David Njoku, creating a seller's market. Uzomah is an upgrade, but he'd have to exceed last season's career numbers to validate the deal. There's also some injury history, as he had a torn Achilles' tendon in 2020.
D.J. Reed, CB
Reed signed a three-year, $33 million contract, including $10.5 million guaranteed at signing. His 2023 base salary ($10.5 million), guaranteed for injury only, becomes fully guaranteed next March.
What it means: The Jets had to come out of free agency with a starting corner, and they didn't want to break the bank for J.C. Jackson or Carlton Davis. They targeted Reed among the second-tier players, landing a 25-year-old player with some upside. He already knows Robert Saleh's system, having played under him with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 and 2019. He was a fifth-round pick by the 49ers and was waived after only two seasons. Reed came into his own last season with the Seattle Seahawks, reaching career highs in starts (14) and passes defensed (10). Reed will start on the outside, with last year's starters -- Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols -- battling for the other spot. Let's be clear: Reed isn't a CB1 and this doesn't preclude the Jets from using a high pick at the position. But he's a legit starter and upgrades the overall unit.
What's the risk? Reed is only 5-foot-9 and he's not a big playmaker, an area where the Jets hope to improve. The team had only seven interceptions last season, a ridiculously low number. Reed has only four picks in four years, so he's not exactly a ball magnet. But let's say this: He's well-versed in zone concepts and he can be effective in limited man-to-man situations. He's extremely competitive and will play bigger than his size.
Jordan Whitehead, S
Whitehead signed a two-year, $14.5 million deal, which includes $7 million fully guaranteed at signing.
What it means: Whitehead is a four-year starter with a championship pedigree. For a team like the Jets, you need those kinds of guys to help the rebuilding process. Let's face it, they were desperate for a safety, especially with Marcus Maye coming off Achilles' surgery and heading to free agency. For now, Whitehead and Lamarcus Joyner are the starters, but Joyner isn't locked into that role. Whitehead was their No. 1 target at safety, a source said, even though they showed interest in Marcus Williams, who wound up signing with the Baltimore Ravens. Whitehead, 25, is a downhill run defender who might struggle in space, but this feels like a good investment. He's a tough, physical defender who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He was mostly a box safety for the Bucs, but he had 150 snaps last season at free safety and in the slot.
What's the risk? The Jets need a ball-hawking safety, and Whitehead isn't that -- only five interceptions in four seasons. They can get away with it if he's paired with a rangy free safety who can roam the deep middle. No, he's not as good as Williams ($14 million per year), but he cost half the price. Whitehead will improve the run defense, which struggled because they had too many bad-tackling safeties. He's a tough dude; he played in Super Bowl LV with a torn labrum in his shoulder. He's a cousin of former Jets star Darrelle Revis.
Nathan Shepherd, DT
Shepherd signed a one-year deal for the minimum salary ($1.03 million), plus a $50,000 signing bonus.
What it means: Shepherd's return is a mild surprise because, quite frankly, he wasn't terribly productive in his first season in Robert Saleh's attack-style defense -- no sacks and 28 tackles as a rotational backup (29 snaps per game). But the Jets were desperate for interior linemen, especially after losing Folorunso Fatukasi to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shepherd, a third-round pick in 2018, is the only pick from former GM Mike Maccagnan's first four drafts (2015-2018) still on the roster.
What's the risk? The Jets didn't break the bank to keep Shepherd, that's for sure. Presumably, the deal includes little guaranteed money. This was a depth signing with little downside. Truth be told, they could use more in reserve. Defensive tackle is a thin position that could be addressed in the draft.
Dan Feeney, G
Feeney signed a one year contract for $3 million, all of it fully guaranteed.
What it means: Feeney didn't play particularly well last season for the Jets, but that's why he's a backup -- a versatile backup. That's the main reason why they brought him back. Feeney, 27, can play guard and center, even eligible-tackle/tight end. He started five games (184 snaps). Offensive-line depth is important for GM Joe Douglas, who also re-signed Conor McDermott. They hope to retain guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif for a backup role.
What's the risk: Feeney landed a deal that is believed to be similar to his previous one ($3.5 million), so we're not talking about a major commitment.
Joe Flacco, QB
Flacco received a one-year contract for $3.5 million, including $2.8 million in guarantees -- essentially the same deal he signed last year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
What it means: Unlike last season, the Jets will go into the year with an experienced backup -- two, actually. They also tendered Mike White at the original-round level ($2.54 million), a source said. Why the sudden belief in quarterback depth? Saleh developed an affinity for Flacco, a midseason arrival, because of the way he helped then-rookie quarterback Zach Wilson off the field. There's another component: This regime needs to win games, so it made sense to buy as much quarterback insurance as possible. If Wilson gets hurt or slumps, Saleh has viable options.
What's the risk? The former Super Bowl MVP, 37, isn't what he was, but he's more than capable of leading the offense for a game or two. Flacco played well in his only start last season, throwing for 291 yards in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. There's no chance of a controversy. At this stage of his career, Flacco is content with a backup role. If they hadn't retained him, the Jets would've been scrambling to find a replacement in a thin QB market.
Tyler Conklin, TE
Conklin signed a three-year, $20.25 million contract, with $10 million fully guaranteed at signing. That includes a partial guarantee of his 2023 base salary ($3.9 million of $6.1 million).
What it means: Another tight end? On Monday, the Jets gave a three-year, $24 million contract to C.J. Uzomah. This will raise questions about Ryan Griffin and his immediate future (his ouster would save $3 million on the cap), but they could decide to keep all three. This means they probably won't pick a tight end on Day 2 of the draft, the so-called sweet spot for this year's top prospects. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFLeur is looking to utilize more two-tight end packages in his offense. Now he has the players to do it.
What's the risk? A $7 million-a-year contract is pricey for a one-year wonder, especially after investing a $15 million guarantee in Uzomah. Now the key question is, was the one good year a harbinger or an outlier? Conklin, who turns 26 on July 30, posted career highs last season -- 61 catches, 593 yards and three touchdowns. His playing time increased when Irv Smith got hurt, and he seized the opportunity. Clearly, he benefitted from having Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the outside, creating space for him. He wasn't a big-play threat, averaging only 9.7 yards per reception. But it's definitely another upgrade at a perennially weak position for the Jets.
Jacob Martin, DE
Martin agreed to a three-year, $13.5 million contract, which includes $6 million in guarantees, according to a league source.
What it means: Martin is an undersized edge player (6-foot-2, 242 pounds) who projects as a situational rusher in Saleh's eight-man rotation. This won't preclude the Jets from drafting an edge rusher with the fourth or 10th pick. Martin, 26, who posted a career-high four sacks last season, is loved by the analytics crowd. His average get-off time was 0.86 seconds, which ranked 24th among 125 pass-rushers (minimum: 250 rushes), per NFL Next Gen Stats. That's pretty quick when you consider that Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt had 0.85. Martin fits the Jets' prototype; their scheme is about getting upfield. He's the younger brother of former Jets linebacker and special teams ace Josh Martin.
What's the risk: Martin's size could make him a liability against the run. He became a full-time player last season (691 snaps on defense), yet his production was basically the same as 2020 (375 snaps). He will be a good fit for the Jets as long as they keep him in his comfort zone.
Greg Zuerlein, K
Zuerlein signed a one-year contract that can be worth up to $2.75 million.
What it means: The old phrase -- "Throw mud against the wall and see what sticks" -- applies here. The Jets, who have used seven different kickers since 2019, are willing to try anyone. Zeurlein will compete against Kicker No. 7, Eddy Pineiro, who made 8-of-8 field goals in his late-season stint. Kicker No. 5, Matt Ammendola, remains on the roster, but that could change soon.
What's the risk? The 34-year-old Zuerlein, cut by the Cowboys on March 11, is coming off a subpar year. He made 29 of 35 field goals for 82.9%, which ranked 29th. He also missed six extra points. He missed key field goals in three losses, although he did have clutch kicks in two wins. Truth be told, his numbers have dipped significantly since his signature season, 2017, with the Los Angeles Rams. A positive? His touchback rate (80%) was one of the league's best.
Solomon Thomas, DT
Thomas is signing a one-year contract for an undisclosed amount.
What it means: Thin on defensive tackles after losing Folorunso Fatukasi (Jacksonville Jaguars), coach Robert Saleh reached out to yet another player from his San Francisco 49ers past. Thomas was drafted third overall by the 49ers in 2017, but never lived up to expectations. He moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he played 48% of the defensive snaps. He was used primarily on passing downs and posted career highs in sacks (3.5) and QB hits (12) -- modest numbers, to be sure. Thomas joins Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd in a four-man rotation at tackle. They still could look to address the interior with a third-day draft pick.
What's the risk? Thomas is a lot like Rankins in that he's better against the pass than the run. If they're on the field together in the base, the defense will be vulnerable on the ground. Thomas, 26, still has a lot of football left in him. This was a solid depth signing, assuming the price tag isn't more than $3 million. If he can stay healthy (he missed most of 2020 with an ACL), maybe he can recapture some of his 2017 form. That he's familiar with the coach and the scheme is bound to help.