NY Jets: Morgan Moses signing gives team impressive OL depth

When the NY Jets signed Morgan Moses late last month, the immediate discussion was about how much the veteran tackle would improve the starting offensive line.

And without a doubt, it's hard to argue that.

Moses has been a rock-solid starting right tackle for the Washington Football team over the last half-decade stating 96 consecutive games.

The incumbent George Fant was inconsistent last season and, although the team believed he would be better in their new scheme, he clearly is a downgrade from Moses from a talent perspective.

But while the upgrade to the starting offensive line is important, just as important is the upgraded depth the Jets now have as a result of the Moses signing.

The Morgan Moses signing gives the NY Jets excellent offensive line depth.

Moses is expected to slot in as the team's day-one starter at right tackle, provided he beats out Fant this summer. And with that, Fant will likely shift backup to a swing tackle role similar to how he was used in Seattle.

While hardly an ideal scenario for the former college basketball standout, Fant gives the Jets much-needed depth at a position that was severely lacking in that department.

Prior to the Moses signing, the Jets were expected to roll into the 2021 season with the duo of Chuma Edoga and Conor McDermott competing for the backup tackle spots.

In fact, with starting left tackle Mekhi Becton sidelined this spring, it was the lackluster McDermott who was starting in his place at left tackle.

Becton's recent injury concerns make having adequate tackle depth all the more important.

The young star left tackle missed a pair of games in 2020 and was banged up on numerous occasions. At the moment, he's dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot — an injury that has been known to linger.

The Jets couldn't afford to have McDermott protecting rookie quarterback Zach Wilson's blindside if Becton missed time. Nor would it have been ideal to insert Edoga into the starting lineup at either left or right tackle.

Signing Moses allows Fant to take over as the primary backup offensive tackle. In a league starving for offensive line depth, the Jets now have the luxury of having one of the deeper lines in the NFL.

Fant is a below-average starter, but likely one of the best swing tackles in the league. And their interior depth is strong as well with the likes of Alex Lewis and Dan Feeney both projected as backups.

Both players have ample starting experience and, while below-average as starters, are excellent depth to have in case of injury.

And that seems to be general manager Joe Douglas' approach.

Not only have the Jets made two high-profile additions to the starting unit in Alijah Vera-Tucker and Morgan Moses, but the team's depth is looking better than it has in many, many years.

No offensive line goes an entire season without suffering an injury — it just isn't practical in today's NFL.

Now, the Jets are prepared for when the inevitable happens. And it's all thanks to the Morgan Moses signing.