NY Jets: Expert lists Gang Green as free agency ‘fit’ for Jadeveon Clowney

One expert listed the NY Jets as a ‘free agency fit’ for Jadeveon Clowney. Here are the details and why it would make sense to pull the trigger.

Several waves of free agency have come and gone since the official start of the new league year. Despite the time that has passed, one of the biggest names on the open market remains available in Jadeveon Clowney.

The feared pass rusher was expecting a long-term deal that annually doled out $20 million per season. His caviar dreams have met the harsh reality that no one is willing to pay that price.

In a fascinating piece on NFL.com, Nick Shook played matchmaker and paired the best remaining free agents on the market to the perfect NFL team. Here’s his explanation for Clowney hooking up with the NY Jets:

“The Jets have the second-most cap space available at publishing — around $36 million, per Over The Cap — meaning they have the room to entice Clowney to come to New York. Those raising the question about fit within the Jets scheme shouldn’t be too concerned, as the former No. 1 overall pick has proven he can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Adding him to a defense that already includes C.J. Mosley and Jamal Adams would give the Jets playmakers at all three levels — and a big offseason splash.”

The #Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25:– Interview w/ former @nyjets WR @robcarpenter81.– Full #FreeAgency recap. – Top 6 replacement options for Robby Anderson. – 7-round #TakeFlight mock draft, @TheDraftNetwork.– Avery Williamson to the trade block?https://t.co/Dz23sZ9BPz

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) March 25, 2020

This makes a ton of sense on the surface.

The Jets have a huge need for an edge rusher and the best one available in free agency is looking for a team. Reportedly, Gang Green has already given a contract offer to Clowney and his representation to consider per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune.

Jadeveon is also reportedly weighing offers from the Tennessee Titans and the team that he played for in 2019, the Seattle Seahawks.

Clowney isn’t a perfect prospect, if he was, he’d be signed already. There are legitimate concerns about his health (he had sports hernia surgery in January) and his ability to sack the quarterback.

The common measuring stick for pass rushers is sacks. If you can get them, you can make a lot of money.

In his six professional seasons, Clowney has yet to secure a double-digit sack season. Despite that, he wants to get paid as if he regularly gets 10+ sacks every year.

With him still being available on the open market well over a week after free agency has started, his price is starting to come down.

If it falls within a certain range the Jets should absolutely bring him in on a one-year prove-it deal. That seems to be general manager Joe Douglas’ style so far with the Jets.

Sign players to short-term deals, maintain cap and roster flexibility moving forward, and allow players to prove themselves.

If Clowney isn’t seeing the contract he wants now, maybe the best plan is to sign a one-year deal with guaranteed money/incentives and hit the market again next year?

So far this offseason the NY Jets have had a unique underrated recruiting tool: defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

While he’s a coach that has proven to be hard on his players, Gregg really cares. Plus his credentials speak for itself, Clowney and Williams could be the perfect fit with the NY Jets.

As Nick Shook mentioned in his blurb above, Clowney would provide the green and white with three elite playmakers at every level of the defense: Jadeveon (defensive line), CJ Mosley (linebacker), and Jamal Adams (safety).

While Clowney may not have the best sack numbers, he’s a solid pass rusher that is better than anything the Jets currently have. Secondly, he’s elite against the run. Imagine adding that to a unit that finished as the best run-stuffing team in the NFL last season?