3 free agents the NY Jets could sign to replace Mekhi Becton

The NY Jets offensive line is in for a major overhaul this offseason. With only Alijah Vera-Tucker and Joe Tippmann guaranteed to come back, there could be up to three new starters on the offensive line.

It seems likely that 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton’s time with the Jets has come to an end. After a great rookie season, injuries derailed Becton’s tenure with the Jets.

Despite staying relatively healthy this season, it feels like Becton and the Jets will part ways this offseason, especially after Becton’s apparent criticism of Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter.

Depending on where they plan to play Vera-Tucker, the Jets will need to find one or two new tackles this offseason. Let’s take a look at three tackle options the Jets could sign in free agency.

1. The NY Jets could sign Tyron Smith

The best tackle set to hit the market this offseason is the Dallas Cowboys’ Tyron Smith. Smith, 33, has been on the Cowboys since 2011 and is an eight-time pro bowler and two-time all-pro.

While on the field, Smith has been an elite left tackle, even to this point in his career. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith had an 88.6 pass-blocking grade in 2023.

However, Smith has had trouble staying on the field in recent years. The last season where he played every game was in 2015. He played 13 games this past season after only playing 17 games in the prior three seasons combined.

With the Jets' recent history of injuries to the offensive line, it might not make much sense to target Smith, but when healthy, he is exactly what they need.

2. The NY Jets could sign Jonah Williams

The 2019 draft feels like just yesterday when some fans wanted the Jets to draft Jonah Williams to protect Sam Darnold’s blindside. Who could have guessed that just five years later, in 2024, he could be an option to protect Aaron Rodgers?

Williams has not lived up to his 11th overall pick status, but he has had some success in his young career. He was the Bengals left tackle over his first three seasons and moved to right tackle once they added Orlando Brown last offseason.

His best season came in 2021 with a 79.8 PFF run-blocking grade and a 68.8 PFF pass-blocking grade, and he was the starting left tackle for a team that went to the Super Bowl.

Williams is 26 years old and has missed only one game over the past three seasons. With all of the offensive line injuries the Jets have had over the past few seasons, they would value that durability.

He also has starting experience at both left and right tackles. That would give the Jets some flexibility in the draft. Depending on the price, Williams could make sense for the Jets.

3. The NY Jets could sign Jermaine Eluemunor

Jermaine Eluemunor is another interesting option that the Jets could sign. After being mainly a backup swing tackle for most of his career, Eluemunor has played well as the starting right tackle for the Raiders for the past two seasons.

Eluemunor has earned PFF grades of 75.3 and 68.5 in each of the last two seasons, respectively. He allowed under 30 pressures in over 500 pass-blocking snaps each season.

He has experience at right tackle, left tackle, and right guard but would likely be brought in as a right tackle, as that’s where he’s seen most of his success.

Eluemunor would be a cheaper option than Smith or Williams, but he could still be a nice upgrade for the Jets' offensive line.