5 moves the NY Jets should make after signing Tyron Smith

The NY Jets sent shockwaves throughout their fan base on Friday by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth a maximum of $20 million with five-time All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith.

The signing is easily the biggest move the Jets have made so far this offseason, and it helps complete the team's offensive line makeover. Smith, a 2023 All-Pro, immediately becomes one of the best players on the Jets' roster.

This Jets team is attempting to go all-in this season. The goal is to build a Super Bowl-caliber roster around Aaron Rodgers as the team looks to compete for a championship. The Smith signing is absolutely a step in the right direction, but there's still work to be done.

The Jets have the ability to make a handful of additional moves before the 2024 NFL Draft next month. Here are five moves the Jets should make after signing Tyron Smith.

5. The NY Jets should extend D.J. Reed

First and foremost, the Jets need to create cap space if they're to continue being active in the free-agent market. One of the easiest and most prudent ways to do this would be to extend cornerback D.J. Reed.

Reed is entering the final year of his contract in 2024 and is set to carry a cap hit of $15.6 million. That's the fourth-highest cap hit on the team. Fortunately, the Jets have a very easy solution to this problem that also helps them in the future.

Extending Reed, who has more than played well enough to warrant a second contract in New York, would save the Jets $7.5 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.

The Jets would save money and keep one of their best players around for a few more years in the process before his price tag gets even higher. This feels like a no-brainer for both sides.

4. The NY Jets should restructure these two contracts

Extending D.J. Reed would be a start, but if the Jets really want to go all in on the 2024 season, they should look into restructuring a pair of contracts. The good news is the Jets have plenty of financial flexibility to create more cap space.

Restructuring the contracts of defensive linemen Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers would save the Jets over $19 million in 2024 cap. Combine that with the $7.5 million they'd save from extending Reed and the Jets could add over $26 million in cap space in the blink of an eye.

Of course, restructuring contracts does push dead money into the future, so it's not something Joe Douglas should look to abuse. But Douglas isn't even guaranteed to be with the organization at this time next year.

Douglas should be aggressive in his attempt to capitalize on the Jets' incredibly short Super Bowl window. This is a perfect way to do that.

3. The NY Jets should sign Jadeveon Clowney (or another edge rusher)

The Jets are reportedly set to meet with veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney this Tuesday as the team explores their options in a post-Bryce Huff world. Clowney would be an outstanding addition for the Jets.

The former No. 1 overall pick has long been seen as one of the best run-defending edge defenders in the NFL, and he's coming off the most productive pass-rushing season of his entire career. Yes, at the age of 31, Clowney is arguably better than ever.

Clowney finished with 9.5 sacks and 71 pressures in 2023, both of which were career highs. His 85.7 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 13th among all edge rushers to play at least 600 defensive snaps.

If the Jets can find a way to sign Clowney to a reasonable contract, it's absolutely something they should explore. If not, finding a way to replace Huff for cheap on the free-agent market still makes sense.

2. The NY Jets should sign David Bakhtiari (or other OT depth)

The Jets landed their left tackle solution on Friday with the Tyron Smith signing. However, despite the fact that Smith remains one of the best left tackles in football when healthy, injuries are a genuine concern.

Smith hasn't played more than 13 games in a season since 2015. Although he played 13 games last season, Smith had appeared in just 17 of a possible 50 games the three years prior.

The Jets need to add some offensive tackle insurance, and perhaps that comes in the form of Aaron Rodgers' best friend, David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari has his own injury concerns, but he could provide excellent depth as the team's backup left tackle.

This would, of course, require Bakhtiari to accept a small-ish contract and a backup role. But if he's still determined to play alongside Rodgers in 2024, the Jets could certainly use the extra depth.

1. The NY Jets should sign Mike Williams

The Jets may have fixed their offensive line, but they've yet to make a single wide receiver addition just yet. Fortunately, the Jets are reportedly expected to meet with free-agent wide receiver Mike Williams this Monday.

Williams is a best-case scenario for the Jets at his point. The former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver is one of the best available players on the open market and would be a perfect WR2 complement alongside Garrett Wilson.

Williams has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, and although he's coming off a torn ACL, the injury concerns are a little overblown. The 29-year-old appeared in 15+ games in every season between 2018 and 2021 and played 13 games in 2022.

There are other free-agent wide receivers the Jets have been connected to, such as Tyler Boyd, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Williams remains the home-run signing that would solidify this offseason as a special one for Gang Green.