NY Jets: 3 best value signings of the 2021 offseason

The NY Jets put together what one might describe as an eventful offseason.

From the complete overhaul of their coaching staff to the changing of the guards at the quarterback position, the Jets have made quite a few significant changes over the last few months.

As such, a number of low-profile moves might have flown a little under-the-radar.

While the talk of the offseason has been the signings of players like Corey Davis and Carl Lawson, those two are hardly the only additions the Jets made.

Of course, you also have a few high-profile rookies who were added to distract from some of the unheralded signings as well.

Zach Wilson has been brought in to be the quarterback of the future. The Jets traded up to select stalwart offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker in a seemingly contentious draft-day decision. And Elijah Moore has wasted no time acclimating himself with his new team.

The Jets were busy making noteworthy moves this offseason, but it isn't always the well-known transactions that have the largest impact.

With that, let's take a look at the team's best value signings of the offseason.

3. Sheldon Rankins, DT, NY Jets

The Jets went into the offseason with a variety of needs, but one position that seemed relatively set was the interior defensive line.

Quinnen Williams enjoyed a breakout season in 2020 and alongside him were standout run-stuffer Folorunso Fatukasi and surging former waiver claim John Franklin-Myers.

Despite this, the Jets addressed the position anyway landing a former first-round defensive tackle at a relative bargain of a price.

Sheldon Rankins was signed to a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason after spending the first five years of his NFL career in New Orleans.

Rankins looked well on his way to becoming one of the better pass-rushing defensive tackles in football following an eight-sack campaign in 2018. However, injuries have stunted his career a bit.

The Saints wanted to bring him back, but a tricky cap situation left Rankins ripe for the picking. And if the former Louisville star could regain his 2018 form now that he's healthy, the Jets might have landed one of the steals of free agency.

What makes this move even better is the structure of the contract — it's essentially a one-year, $5.5 million contract with a $5.5 million second-year option.

The Jets could cut ties with Rankins after one season with less than $1 million in dead cap if he fails to live up to his deal.

Rankins is a good player with a Pro Bowl ceiling if he could stay healthy. This is a classic low-risk/high-reward signing.

2. Lamarcus Joyner, S, NY Jets

It's easy to forget just how good of a safety Lamarcus Joyner was only a few short years ago. Probably because he hasn't played the safety position full-time since his days with the Los Angeles Rams.

Now with the Jets, Joyner is expected to return to his natural free safety position after a tumultuous two years with the Las Vegas Raiders. And the Jets couldn't be more thrilled about it.

Joyner was signed to a meager one-year, $4.5 million contract in the offseason, but the 30-year-old is expected to immediately take over the starting free safety job.

That's quite the bargain for a player who was ranked as Pro Football Focus' No. 2 safety in the entire NFL back in 2017. While he hasn't reached those heights again, he was still an effective starter in 2018 — his last year with the Rams.

The Raiders converted him to a full-time nickel corner and stubbornly kept him there despite a disastrous first season. However, the last time we saw Joyner as a full-time safety, he was one of the better players at his position in the league.

2020 third-round pick Ashtyn Davis will be asked to take on more of a third safety role playing quite a bit in sub-packages, but Joyner is the player the Jets will rely on as their true deep-half, center-field safety.

Joyner signed for cheap given his difficult two seasons with the Raiders, but now back at his natural position, this signing has a chance to be looked at as one of the savviest of the offseason.

1. Keelan Cole, WR, NY Jets

Perhaps no signing has been overlooked more than that of former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole.

Cole joined the Jets on a one-year, $5.5 million deal in the offseason after four years spent in Jacksonville. And during his time with the Jaguars, he proved to be a capable target in the passing game — one that was utilized frequently.

Fresh off a 55-catch, 642-yard season, Cole would be a solid No. 3 receiver on a lot of teams around the league. But with the Jets, he's currently listed as the fifth receiver on the depth chart, assuming Jamison Crowder sticks around.

That doesn't mean he won't see his fair share of snaps, however.

Cole has experience lining up both on the outside and in the slot meaning that new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur shouldn't have trouble finding a role for him in the offense.

What's more, is that he's also expected to be in the mix for the punt returner job meaning that he could provide value on both offense and special teams.

The signing of Corey Davis got the attention in March. Elijah Moore's addition received widespread praise in late April.

But Keelan Cole is not someone who should be overlooked. Especially at the price the Jets got him for.