Gang Green GM Joe Douglas Scores Three Key Free Agency Dubs

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, let's examine three Jets' victories from free agency

The New York Jets have received high grades on the numerous free agency report cards circling around the worldwide web. 

Almost all of those assessments lauded Gang Green for setting up the anticipated Aaron Rodgers trade. 

Even though Rodgers isn't technically a free-agent acquisition, and he has yet to arrive, the Jets deserve above-average marks for their work during the early part of the free agency period. 

General manager Joe Douglas scored three notable victories during the month of March. Even without their starting quarterback in place at the moment, Gang Green has added noticeable firepower to what was an underperforming offense in 2022. 

Here are Douglas' three most-notable FA wins (not necessarily listed in order of importance):

Receivers' Room Makeover

WR1 Garrett Wilson more than doubled the statistical production of the Jets' next-best wide receiver in 2022.

The receiving corps needed an upgrade and Joe Douglas delivered by inking two proven free-agent pass-catchers.

The 6-foot-5 Allen Lazard, who was Aaron Rodgers’ top target in Green Bay, led the Packers in receptions (60) and receiving yards (788) last season.

The multi-talented Hardman, who sports 4.33 (40-yard dash) speed, exceeded the 500-yard receiving mark in each of his first three NFL seasons.

Both receivers possess big-game experience. Lazard has totaled 11 catches for 200 yards and one score over five playoff appearances. Hardman played in the postseason each of the past four years with Kansas City.

Not Signing OBJ 

From a financial standpoint, it never made sense for Gang Green.

Odell Beckham Jr. wound up signing with the Baltimore Ravens for $18 million (one-year deal). 

The Jets had already dedicated significant money to the wide receiver position by adding Lazard and Hardman. Another $15-20 million for Beckham would've consumed too much salary cap space while tying up resources that could be used to fill real positions of need.

Then, there's the fact that the flamboyant Beckham hasn't played an NFL game since tearing his ACL during Super Bowl LVI.

The New York Giants' 2014 first-round pick last played a full NFL season as a Cleveland Brown in 2019, which also marked his most-recent 1,000-yard receiving campaign. 

The fiscal restraint shown by the Jets in letting Beckham go to Baltimore will lessen the salary cap challenge that the franchise is set to face once Rodgers is added to the books. 

Keeping Quincy Here

With CJ Mosley on the proverbial back nine, and unsigned past 2023, it became even more important to lock up reliable linebacker Quincy Williams. 

The 26-year old Williams, who inked a three-year contract last month, has logged 100+ tackles each of the past two seasons on the Gang Green defense. In 2022, the the 5-foot-11 linebacker logged 106 stops and 3.0 sacks while making 15 appearances. 

Williams' decision to remain with the Jets may positively affect the future contract negotiations between the team and Williams' younger brother Quinnen, an All-Pro defensive tackle. 

The Jets are thin on the depth chart at linebacker, so Williams' re-signing was practically a necessity. 

QUINCY. WILLIAMS. 😤

WHAT A HIT!#NEvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/c5H3gClZIz

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 19, 2021

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