It is likely that the Buffalo Bills will be favoured to win the AFC East and the division for the sixth time in a row.
However, for the first time in Joe Douglas’ stint as general manager of the New York Jets, there is more to the team’s aspirations of winning the division than simply the lingering euphoria from their trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Tuesday saw Douglas make another acquisition that is moving New York in the right direction, following the biggest free-agent signing of his Jets tenure.
To complement top receiver Garrett Wilson on the perimeter, the Jets signed former Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams to a one-year, $15 million contract. In advance of the NFL Draft, the move fulfils one of the team’s top priorities.
Three fresh offensive linemen and a receiver who can relieve Wilson of some of the load were needed by fresh York. He’s not a superstar and probably not even close to the top-10 pick he was in 2017, but he’s a big-bodied field stretcher that works well in that role. He commands a salary premium due to the considerable difference between him and other available choices, such as Super Bowl champion Marques Valdez-Scantling and seasoned Odell Beckham Jr.
At just $15 million, Douglas managed to avoid that.
As the Jets approach the draft, they’ll have the flexibility to take a third receiver, tight end Brock Bowers, or an offensive lineman to succeed either left tackle Tyron Smith or right tackle Morgan Moses – both of whom are on one-year deals. One would think this also increases the likelihood of a trade down deeper into (or out of) the first round.
The greatest time for New York to challenge for the AFC East championship is now. There aren’t many of Rodgers’ pals in their free agency. There’s a real backup quarterback inside the structure. The offensive line does not depend on two tackles who are barely clinging on to their starting positions.
Fans of the Jets are accustomed to winning in the offseason. However, these actions have been within Douglas’ budget and provide a level of assurance that Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard were unable to provide.
