4 personnel changes the NY Jets should consider making
By Justin Fried
2. The NY Jets should start Laurent Duvernay-Tardif over Greg Van Roten
The NY Jets went out and made a move for former Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif at the trade deadline eyeing additional offensive line depth.
A longtime starter in Kansas City, Duvernay-Tardif lost his starting job after opting out in 2020 and seeing rookie Trey Smith usurp him on the depth chart in the summer.
But it wasn't long ago that Duvernay-Tardif was an above-average starting right guard for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
It just so happens that the Jets have a gaping hole at right guard.
While the Jets' offensive line has been pretty good this season, Greg Van Roten remains the obvious weak link. Van Roten has allowed more QB pressures (28) than any right guard in the NFL through nine weeks, and that's despite playing one less game than most other players.
The Jets could really use an upgrade at the position, and it might be time to give Duvernay-Tardif a shot.
There is an argument in favor of keeping Van Roten in the starting lineup. The 31-year-old has put together two of his best performances of the season in the past four weeks and hasn't allowed a sack since Week 4.
You could also point to offensive line chemistry as a reason to stick with what they have. Ultimately, however, Van Roten continues to hold the Jets' offensive line back and giving a proven veteran in Duvernay-Tardif a shot makes a ton of sense.
It might be time for a change at right guard.