New York Jets: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

• Signed four-year, $19.1 million contract w/Jets in 2015


• 58 career games started w/Jets


• Blocked for top-12 rushing attack (2015-16)


• Pro Football Focus‘ “Secret Superstar” in 2016

James Carpenter is the only player on this list still currently a member of the team, although that is likely to change this offseason. After four seasons served as the Jets left guard, Carpenter is likely to depart the team the same way he joined them back in March 2015.

Via the ever-changing cycle that is NFL free agency.

But none of that should take away from what was ultimately a successful free agent signing. Carpenter enjoyed a couple of solid seasons while donning the green and white, even earning a single All-Pro vote for his 2016 season.

Originally drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Carpenter spent four years with the Seattle Seahawks before being outcast as a first-round bust. He was so much of a disappointment that the Seahawks didn’t even opt to exercise his fifth-year option, something that nearly two-thirds of teams do.

However, Carpenter was able to rejuvenate his career with the Jets putting together back-to-back good seasons during his first two years with his new team. Although his play has dropped off in recent years, the Alabama product still served his purpose with the team and played a pivotal role in the Jets’ excellent rushing attacks in 2015 and 2016.

He may not be the flashiest choice to be on this list, but Carpenter squeaks in due in part to his solid production playing on a bargain deal for the team. And it’s pretty hard for any team to argue with those results.

Next: No. 14