NY Jets could ‘make a run’ at CB Logan Ryan, creates NFL Draft flexibility

The NY Jets are considering chasing veteran cornerback Logan Ryan in free agency. Here’s why that would create optimal flexibility in the NFL Draft.

The NY Jets may not be done in free agency just yet.

According to the New York Daily News, the team is considering “making a run” at veteran free agent cornerback Logan Ryan.

Gang Green did a solid job of retaining Brian Poole on a one-year deal to lock up the slot corner position. Plus they got creative by adding a talented boundary corner in Pierre Desir late in the process as well.

Despite those additions, there is still a major need at the cornerback spot heading into this year’s draft. One name that is surprisingly still available is Logan Ryan.

Although if the NY Jets want to make that addition happen, they’ll need to get creative with the cap. Currently, the team only has around $10 million in available space, but also consider they’ll need to reserve some money for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft class as well.

The #Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25 feat former #NFL GM @mlombardiNFL:– Takes us inside an #NFLDraft war room on draft day.– Biggest Q w/ Tua Tagovailoa isn't what you think it is.– Does a virtual draft put more pressure on GMs in the league?#TakeFlighthttps://t.co/YIDsknhRB4

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) April 15, 2020

According to a report from the NFL Network from a few weeks ago, Logan Ryan was reportedly seeking a deal that averaged $10 million per season on a long-term deal. Obviously that market never played itself out so Ryan would be amenable to signing a one-year prove-it deal for around that figure.

Thankfully the Jets will score an additional $11 million thanks to the post-June 1 designation of free-agent bust Trumaine Johnson, but it won’t come for another couple of months.

Putting the logistics aside for a moment, the green and white should 100 percent find a way to make this happen for several reasons.

First off Logan Ryan is a talented player who is scheme versatile. He can play in the slot, perform man or zone coverage, and has a unique ability to rush the passer (something defensive Gregg Williams could take advantage of).

Secondly, if the NY Jets lock up Logan Ryan, that’s one less position they have to focus on in the 2020 NFL Draft. This would allow the team to have the flexibility to go offensive heavy, which they so desperately need.

Logan Ryan just completed his seventh professional season last year with the Tennessee Titans and made NFL history.

In the wildcard round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs, Tom Brady dropped back to pass with 15 seconds left on the clock, down one, and he threw a pass that got deflected up and intercepted by Ryan who took it to the house to seal the upset over the Patriots. We later found out that would be the final pass of Brady’s career as a Patriot.

Why wouldn’t you want to add that player to the NY Jets secondary in 2020? It’s time to get this deal done as soon as possible!