Grading every move the NY Jets made in the first wave of free agency

Tevin Coleman, RB, NY Jets: 1-year, $2.3 million

The re-signing of running back Tevin Coleman is very similar to that of Joe Flacco. The Jets are paying him more for his influence in the locker room than what he can bring to the field.

That's not to state that Coleman didn't play well in his limited role a year ago. Coleman made five starts and averaged over four yards per rush while rushing for 356 yards.

Ultimately though, Coleman is returning because of his deep knowledge of the Jets' running scheme on offense. He is one of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur's soldiers. Coleman is on the Jets to show the team's other runners the path to succeeding in LaFleur's system.

The 28-year old is not as explosive as in years past, and his best days are behind him. You can certainly question what value he can bring on game days as a change of pace runner or even part-time returner, but it's not surprising that he is back in the fold.

The Jets weren't prepared to spend on a high-priced backup tailback in free agency. In theory, New York could've attempted to add players like J.D. McKissic or Cordarelle Patterson — two exceptional role players who could have provided more value in games than Tevin Coleman does at this late stage of his career. 

Grade: C

Conor McDermott, OT, NY Jets: 1-year, $1.55 million

Very quietly, Conor McDermott is about to enter his fourth straight year with the Jets. Joe Douglas claimed him off waivers back in October of 2019, and ever since then, McDermott has survived the roster purge New York has had the last few years.

The former sixth-round pick out of UCLA by the New England Patriots is a Joe Douglas favorite. The 6-foot-8 swing linemen and sometimes tight end is probably destined for yet another one-year extension in 2023.

McDermott has six NFL starts under his belt, but the truth is that he is probably best served as a team's fourth tackle option rather than the next man up if someone goes down.

McDermott doesn't have added value as an interior player so this is just a low-cost insurance move for a player who the Jets front office is comfortable with serving that type of role.

Grade C