If healthy, the Jets' additions will be a big boost
Former Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith signed with the Jets this offseason Credit: AP/Maria Lysaker
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Jets have made moves that look good on paper. They’ll look much better if they can get and keep the players on the field.
Receiver Mike Williams is coming back from a torn ACL and won’t be ready for training camp. Left tackle Tyron Smith has missed 37 games over the past four seasons, and right tackle Morgan Moses had surgery to repair a torn pec six weeks ago.
They’re good players who will fill big voids, if they can actually fill them.
“If those guys can stay on the field, they’re pretty dynamic,” Robert Saleh said at the NFL’s owners meetings. “You do your best to keep them healthy and you do your best to build the depth around them.”
Health will be everything for the Jets this season. Aaron Rodgers is returning from a torn left Achilles tendon that he sustained in Week 1. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is coming back from the same injury.
The Jets feel good about their recoveries and the new players they have brought in. Moses was acquired in a trade and has been durable throughout his career. Williams and Smith signed one-year deals that are incentive-laden based on how much they play.
“A lot of the contracts are structured in a way where if the player’s on the field and he’s performing he’s going to be well compensated,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “We’ve structured quite a few of these contracts in a way that it’s highly beneficial for the player if they’re performing at a high level.”
Williams had other visits planned after meeting with the Jets, but they didn’t let him leave their building. His deal is worth up to $15 million this season.
Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, wasn’t in demand despite his resume. Douglas referred to Smith as “maybe the greatest pass protector of all time.” Smith said it was between the Jets and returning to Dallas. Smith, 33, will get $6.5 million and could make up to $20 million.
The Jets will work on a maintenance program to keep Smith, 33, healthy and fresh. Last season, he only took part in walk-throughs. Smith appeared in 13 games and was effective, earning second-team All-Pro.
“We’ll communicate with what they did in Dallas and obviously with our doctors and our training staff and with Tyron and just make sure we come up with the best plan for him,” Saleh said.
The Jets believe Williams will be ready for Week 1, but he could be on a snap count. Saleh said Williams’ timeline is similar to Breece Hall’s last year. Hall played fewer than 50% of the offensive snaps in the first four weeks of the season.
“Mike, he’s got a long way to go,” Saleh said. “He knows he’s got a road trek. But at the same time, if he does it the right way, we’re very confident that we’ll have him ready for Week 1.”
Jeremy Ruckert’s role
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has been linked to the Jets with the 10th pick, but Douglas likes the tight end room. He called Tyler Conklin “a stud” and expects Lindenhurst’s Jeremy Ruckert to break out in his third season.
“Big Ruck, he’s going to jump on the scene even more this year,” Douglas said. “We all know how talented he is.”
The Jets also have Kenny Yeboah and Zach Kuntz returning.
Thanks, C.J. Mosley
Douglas praised linebacker C.J. Mosley for reworking his contract and signing a new two-year deal that gave the Jets $14 million in cap space.
“He’s a special person, he’s a special player,” Douglas said. “A lot of what we’ve been able to do so far in the offseason is because of C.J. and I can’t thank him enough."
Jet streams
The Jets still plan to add to their quarterback, running back, receiver, offensive line, defensive line and safety rooms . . . The Jets are hopeful they can sign edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who they met with last week. “You guys know me with pass rushers,” Saleh said, “the more the merrier.” . . . Saleh said the Jets are “in constant talks” with Corey Davis and that “our door’s always going to be open for him.” Davis is returning to the NFL after sitting out last season and can sign with any team . . . The Jets re-signed defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes, who had a sack and five tackles in five games last season.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
