NY Jets: Analyzing all 23 in-house free agents

Nov 12, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) stretches before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets sure have a lot of work ahead of them heading into the off-season. Here’s a look at all 23 of their in-house players that are eligible for free agency.

The guys above will be hard at work this off season, attempting to upgrade the roster of the Jets. Currently the Jets have 23 players that are eligible for free agency and there are some big names among that group. Todd Bowles and Chan Gailey will have their inputs, Mike Maccagnan will be making the final calls and Woody Johnson will be writing the checks.

I thought we could go through some of the free agents of the Jets and see what can be done to upgrade the overall roster. This time of year is about evaluating your players, cutting the fat off the roster and finding salary cap room to upgrade the roster.

Let’s start off by taking a look at the in-house free agents the Jets currently have..

Next: The in-house free agent list

Nov 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) reacts to the crowd in the second half of the Jets 38-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

The in-house free agent list

1. Muhammad Wilkerson 6’4″/315, 26 years old, 5 years experience
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick  6’2″/223, 33 yrs old, 11 years experience
3. Chris Ivory 6’0″/222, 27 years old, 6 years experience
4. Damon Harrison 6’4″/350, 27 years old, 4 years experience
5. Calvin Pace 6’4″/265, 35 years old, 13 years of experience
6. Bilal Powell 5’10″/204, 27 years old, 5 years experience
7. Demario Davis 6’2″/239, 27 years old, 4 years experience
8. Antonio Allen 6’1″/210, 27 years old, 4 years experience
9. Jaiquawn Jarrett  6’0″/196, 26 years old, 4 years experience
10. Leger Douzable 6’4″/ 29 years old, 8 years experience
11. Darrin Walls 6’0″/190, 27 years old 5 years experience
12. Stevan Ridley 5’11″/220, 26 years old, 5 years experience
13. Ben Ijalana 6’4″/322, 26 years old, 5 years experience
14. Stephen Bowen 6’5″/300, 31 yrs old, 10 years experience
15. Willie Colon 6’3″/315, 32 years old, 10 years experience
16. Jamari Lattimore 6’2″/229, 27 years old, 5 years experience
17. Chris Owusu  6’2″/200, 26 years old, 4 years experience
18. Kellen Davis 6’7″265, 30 years old, 8 years experience
19. Zach Sudfeld 6’7″/260, 26 years old, 3 years experience
20. Erin Henderson 6’3″/244, 29 years old, 7 years experience
21. Ryan Quigley 6’3″/188, 25 years old, 3 years experience
22. Kenbrell Thompkins 6’0″/27 years old, 3 years experience
23. Randy Bullock 5’9″/206, 26 years old, 4 years experience

There’s your list. All of these players are unrestricted free agents with the exception of Quigley, Thompkins and Bullock who are listed as restricted free agents.

Next: Let's play general manager

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs with the ball as New York Jets linebacker Erin Henderson (58) pursues during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s play general manager

Obviously, every Jet fan will have their own take on what should be done with this group. Most fans have their favorite player and any suggestion that the team let him go in free agency, can be upsetting. What follows is my take on what the Jets should do this off season. I know many of my ideas might upset a few, but hang in their fans, these are just my ideas. Thankfully, Maccagnan will be making the final calls.

The Old Guys: Pace, Bowen, Davis, Colon, Henderson and Douzable are all or will be 30 years and older before next season. I excluded Fitzpatrick from this group, as the Jets already expressed their intention to bring him back. Beyond Fitzpatrick, I think only Douzable and Henderson have a chance of returning, and that will depend on what the Jets do elsewhere. The Jets want to get younger and faster as this group has likely seen their last days in Green and White.

The Lesser Names: These are players that have contributed on special teams and have gotten into the mix with the starters. Expect guys like Walls, Sudfeld, Jarrett and Allen to return. Meanwhile, you can expect guys like Ridley, Owusu and Ijalana to try the market.

This happens every year in the NFL, older players reach their potential to help their clubs and are released. Salary concerns make it necessary to release others. Younger developmental guys fail to develop and are allowed to walk in free agency. It’s an annual ritual around the league, nobody is particularly fond of letting them go, but it’s a vital component in building a roster.

Not many surprises in the group, the coaching staff will sit down and evaluate these guys, those contributing likely come back while the rest will be seeking opportunities with other clubs.

Next: The tougher calls

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The tougher calls

I for one don’t envy Maccagnan and his job this off season, I’d love to have his salary, but I wouldn’t want to be the one actually making these tough calls. Maccagnan is faced with some tough decisions, I’m positive he won’t be taking my advice but I’ll do my best anyway. Here’s the tough calls facing the Jets this year.

Wilkerson is perhaps the biggest name that is free agent eligible this year. He’s a top talent that the Jets would love to re-sign, but this contract has not been an easy one to get done. The negotiations have been ongoing for years, not months. The Jets have promised Wilkerson an extension through three different general managers and he’s poised to make them pay.

I wrote an article covering the the Wilkerson situation, which went through the options the Jets had to deal with his contract. Currently, I’m leaning toward the Jets trading him. The Jets have three of their front four due contracts in the next two years and that will be an expensive proposition. The Jets have a lot of needs on this football team, the money saved and the picks that trading a top talent will bring, would go a long way towards filling them. I think the first priority would be to sign him, but if that fails, I won’t be surprised if they shop him.

Ivory has seen his last day in Green and White by my take.  I have an article coming out shortly in which I lay out my arguments in more detail, but for now, I’ll just say I think the Jets will want to get younger. I don’t doubt Ivory’s talents, he’s been a whole lot of fun to watch and I’ll miss him when he’s gone.

Harrison has been a bargain of a lifetime for the Jets. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets and has been earning pennies as he developed into a top tier player at his position. Harrison has plenty of football left in him at 27 years old, but his contract demands reportedly are high. This is one where the Jets need to be careful not to overpay, Harrison is a talented player but he needs to be realistic.

There are other pressing contract demands on the Jets and if Harrison insists on a big pay raise, he might be looking at the free agent market to get it. There is no doubt that he has earned a raise, but it needs to be in the realm of possibilities. If he’s unwilling to take a decent offer from the Jets, I think they will move on but they won’t break the bank for him.

Nov 12, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison (94) and New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Bills defeated the Jets 22-17 Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Powell really came on this season despite struggling with an injury. He became a contributor in the Jets’ passing game out of the backfield and Gailey loved what he brought. I think Powell returns on the cheap, his contract won’t be excessive and he’ll continue to offer diversity for the offense.

Davis has never panned out for the Jets. Hand picked by Rex Ryan, Davis has been a disappointment since arriving. Davis is a one dimensional linebacker who has proven he has little lateral movement and is a huge liability against the pass. He’ll be allowed to test the free agency market.

Quigley is a restricted free agent and an interesting case. He has been inconsistent at times in the punting game and many fans have expressed a desire to be done with him. I’d bring him back however. I think the Jets can sign him cheaply and at 25 years old he’s young enough and adequate enough to be brought back back.

Thompkins made a case for a return to the Jets for another season. Gailey worked Thompkins into his offense as the season progressed and the young wide receiver responded. The question for Thompkins is whether he did enough to warrant a contract. He’s a restricted free agent as I’d make an attempt to sign him to another one-year deal but if he gets an offer elsewhere, I wouldn’t expect to match it.

Bullock is also a young restricted free agent. I’d try to resign him on the cheap, maybe a one year deal to bring him back to compete. Any offers tendered by another team, would go unmatched.

Next: Final thoughts

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) and nose tackle Damon Harrison (94) celebrates beating the New York Giants in overtime at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Final thoughts

As I’ve pointed out all season, the Jets are still in rebuilding mode. They have several holes to fill to upgrade this roster and cap space will need to be found if the Jets want to sign some of their top free agents. I’m of the opinion that the Jets would be wise to take a chapter from the book of the Patriots.

Avoid overpaying for your top free agents, attempt to sign them at your price. If that fails, regain some from your investment by adding picks. Jet fans have seen the Patriots do this for decades with great success and they would be wise to follow suit.

With needs at several positions, the Jets will need to manage their cap, shop free agency for less costly talent and have an excellent draft day if they want to upgrade this roster for a tough schedule in 2016. Maccagnan proved in his first season with the Jets that he has an eye for talent and value.

More jets: Top 5 free agent linebackers the Jets should target

He’ll be hard pressed this off season, but I think we’ll see him get creative by making smart trades and cutting the cap when possible. One thing we know for sure, it is going to be a very interesting watch this upcoming off season. I tossed out my ideas of how I’d go about dealing with some of the free agents for the Jets this year. Now it is your turn.

Please leave me a comment below and join us today as we discuss Jet Football!!