6 offensive tackles the NY Jets can sign after Mekhi Becton injury

The NY Jets are desperate for offensive tackle help following a likely season-ending injury to Mekhi Becton. What once was a luxury has now become a necessity.

Becton reportedly suffered a fractured kneecap during Monday's practice, putting both his Jets and NFL future in doubt. In the short term, however, the Jets are now all but forced to make a move at the position.

They could explore the trade market and target a player like Andre Dillard or Teven Jenkins. Neither Dillard nor Jenkins is anything close to a sure thing, however.

Dillard notably struggled mightily at right tackle and would likely be seen as exclusively a left tackle while Jenkins' career in Chicago has been marred by injuries and inconsistencies.

The Jets could also turn to the waiver wire in a few weeks as they continue to explore options to upgrade at offensive tackle. Their best bet, though, would be to sign a veteran within the coming days.

At the moment, the Jets are slated to start any one of the likes of Chuma Edoga, Conor McDermott, or rookie fourth-round pick Max Mitchell at right tackle. For the sake of Zach Wilson and the entire offense, that can't happen.

Fortunately, the Jets do remain active in their pursuit of a new offensive tackle to join the roster, most notably with their persistent interest in Duane Brown. But what other options are out there on the free-agent market?

Let's take a look at six potential offensive tackles the Jets could sign in free agency to replace the fallen Mekhi Becton.

6. NY Jets target: Jason Peters

Duane Brown may be turning 37 years old later this month, but he's not the oldest free-agent offensive tackle remaining on the open market. That honor goes to the 40-year-old Jason Peters.

Peters has been in the NFL since the 2004 season and brings with him nearly two decades of starting experience. He's a nine-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro, and a likely future Hall of Famer.

The longtime Philadelphia Eagles left tackle crossed paths with Joe Douglas in Philly which could be the connection needed to get a deal done. That said, Peters comes with a similar problem to Brown — he's almost exclusively a left tackle.

Peters hasn't played right tackle since the 2006 season and might want to stick at left tackle with the Jets. Signing Peters might facilitate a George Fant move to right tackle, but it might be worth it for a player who continues to defy the aging process.

5. NY Jets target: Nate Solder

Nate Solder is one of the more notorious free-agent busts in recent NFL history as the former New England Patriots left tackle fell well short of the four-year, $62 million expectations offered to him by the New York Giants.

But while Solder never lived up to expectations with the Giants, he's still a serviceable starter who remains a free agent well into the summer. Perhaps the Jets could come calling.

Solder started 16 games for the Giants at right tackle last season after making the switch from left tackle. He was a below-average starter finishing with a meager 60.3 Pro Football Focus grade, but he does have over 140 career starts under his belt.

Ultimately, Solder would be an uninspiring option, but he is an experienced veteran with the versatility to play both tackle spots. That alone makes him a potential target.

4. NY Jets target: Brandon Shell

I've been a Brandon Shell believer ever since his days in New York, and he proved during his two years in Seattle that he's a starting-caliber right tackle in this league. Unfortunately, injuries have caught up to him in recent years.

Shell missed five games in 2020 and seven games in 2021 due in part to ankle and shoulder injuries. When healthy, though, he's been an average starting tackle.

A former fifth-round pick of the Jets, Shell spent the first four years of his career in New York, starting 40 games for the team. He doesn't have any current ties to the organization, but he remains one of the better options still available.

Shell would step in as a day-one starter at right tackle, allowing Fant to remain at left tackle. Why not initiate a little reunion between the Jets and a player who might not have ever got his due with his former team?

3. NY Jets target: Daryl Williams

It's pretty surprising that a player like Daryl Williams is still a free agent well into the month of August. The seven-year NFL veteran has experience playing four of the five offensive line spots and has been a quality starter for the last half-decade.

He's coming off a season in which he split time between right guard and right tackle for the Buffalo Bills, starting all 17 games. The year prior, Williams finished with an excellent PFF grade of 79.2 that ranked 21st out of all tackles in the NFL.

He's a good player, and the Jets would be wise to bring him in for a visit as soon as possible. Williams turns 30 years old later this month and is likely just biding his time for the best landing spot.

The Jets should do everything they can to make Williams an offer he can't refuse. His versatility and quality play are exactly what they need.

2. NY Jets target: Eric Fisher

Another quality veteran tackle still on the market is multi-time Pro Bowler Eric Fisher. Fisher spent the first eight years of his career in Kansas City before jumping ship to Indianapolis in 2021.

The former first overall pick started 15 games at left tackle for the Colts last season, earning a respectable 68.2 PFF grade in the process. That said, his 61.0 PFF pass-block grade ranked 59th out of 80 qualified tackles.

His struggles in pass protection were exemplified by his team-high seven sacks allowed and eight penalties. Still, Fisher was a Pro Bowler in 2020 and has experience playing both left and right tackle.

Like Williams, it's a surprise to see him still available this far into the summer. He's clearly waiting for the right deal to come along, and perhaps the Jets could be the team to offer him that deal.

1. NY Jets target: Duane Brown

This is the most obvious one, no? The Jets officially brought Duane Brown in for a visit this past Saturday and the team remains in contact with him at the time of writing.

The Jets were already interested in signing Brown before Becton's injury even occurred. You have to figure that his price tag has only gone up in the days since.

Brown is a 15-year NFL veteran who was long considered to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Even at the age of 36, he proved last season that he still has plenty left in the tank, starting 17 games and even making the Pro Bowl.

Signing Brown would likely mean that George Fant, a former teammate of Brown's in Seattle, would move to right tackle. That's not an ideal situation for Fant and the Jets, but it's one they're clearly willing to overlook given Brown's talent.

The Jets need to sign at least one offensive tackle after Mekhi Becton's injury, and Duane Brown is the most obvious solution to their current quandary.