Fixing Jets' Offensive Line with Albert Breer

Drafting a first-round tackle to replace Becton is one option for New York

The New York Jets' problems along the offensive line were amplified in a Week 15 road loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Starting their 11th different combination in 14 games, the Jets failed to get the necessary protection up front in a 30-0 setback. Each of the five starters were charged with permitting at least five pressures on pass blocking plays according to @NextGenStats. The right side consisted of two former Green Bay Packers, guard Jake Hanson and tackle Billy Turner who surrendered a combined 14 pressures. 

"All the way across the board, from the way we coach it to the way to the way we execute, we just got to be more detailed," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh on Monday. "Obviously, it wasn't good enough yesterday. We've got to be better all the way across the board."

Starting left tackle Mekhi Becton, who will be a free agent following the season (the team declined to exercise the 2020 first-round pick's fifth-year option this past offseason), was responsible for eight pressures and 3.0 sacks. Dolphins' OLB Bradley Chubb feasted to the tune of 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. 

There's a good chance that three of the five starters from last week's loss, including Becton, are not back in 2024 — at least not in the following scenario laid out in a recent Albert Breer mailbag. 

Breer, a Sports Illustrated senior reporter, took a stab at solving the Jets' offensive line problems this upcoming offseason. At the heart of the plan is a first-round tackle from the 2024 NFL Draft class. Breer, who did not mention the potential of re-signing Becton, named three potential draft targets and a possible free agent pickup. 

In the same mailbag, Breer also entertained the wild idea of a Mac Jones for Zach Wilson swap. He also affirmed the notion that the Jets will run it back next with Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, hoping that a healthy Aaron Rodgers can deliver the results that were expected prior to his injury in 2023.

From Albert Breer's 12.14 Mailbag!:

From ryuryu2949 (@ryuryu2949): It is clear the Jets need to rebuild their OL for next year (LT, RT, maybe one G). Who are realistic targets among free agents and likely draft picks in the 7-15 range?

Ryu, the Jets are in a potentially funky spot. If you assume they are picking in that range, then it might be just past where the presumed top two tackles go. If the draft were today, I’d guess the first three picks in some order would be Williams, Maye, and Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. I’d say after that, at No. 4, two tackles are in play, and both could go quickly, one being Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and the other being Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

My guess is Jets GM Joe Douglas would be doing cartwheels to the phone to call either of those players, if they slipped to his pick. But my guess would also be—and, again, it’s early and there are moving parts (like the Jets’ record) here—neither quite makes it to where New York picks in April.

That would probably leave the team with someone like Georgia’s Amarius Mims in the first round, and I do think there’s a pretty decent chance his value and where the Jets are picking matches up. Nonetheless, Douglas will likely have to add something in free agency before then to provide some insurance against the draft going the other way on him. Bengals free agent Jonah Williams could be a really nice fit to come in and play either right or left tackle for the Jets, giving the team some flexibility in April.

Saleh Has No Words for Jets' Unimaginable Offensive Line Situation

MORE HEADLINES:

Waived by Jets, Aaron Rodgers's Friend Lands in AFC South

Offensive Guard Joins Jets' Active Roster for Week 15 Matchup in Miami