NY Jets Post-2021 NFL Draft State of the Roster: Tight ends

Ryan Griffin, TE, NY Jets

The Jets have only three players on their entire 90-man roster over 30-years-old. And Ryan Griffin (31), is one of them, along with Vinny Curry (32) and Greg Van Roten (31).

One of the team's most reliable and respected veterans, Griffin had a breakout 2019 campaign that earned him a $10 million contract extension. He's one of the few players in the early days of Joe Douglas's reign as GM that received that type of vote of confidence.

Griffin has always been a solid all-around tight end. And with the Jets, he's one of the team's quiet leaders. It will be interesting to see what role the coaching staff will have for him in 2021.

Griffin is the Jets' best in-line blocker of the entire tight end group. He has solid hands and is tough, but injuries and age could be catching up to him. Could Griffin play the role that Marcedes Lewis plays in Green Bay's offense under Mike's brother, Matt LaFleur?

Griffin still has two years left on his deal, and it's fair to wonder if the Jets will decide to part ways with him because of his age. If the Jets decide to cut Griffin after June 1st, the team will save $2.3 million on their salary cap. He also has a cap figure of $3.4 million in 2022.

Robert Saleh and his staff are looking to build a strong culture in the Jets' locker room. So you could argue that keeping someone like Ryan Griffin around will aid the new staff in that movement.

But the NFL is a numbers game, and Griffin could find his way out the door, despite all the positive attributes that he can provide.