One trade, cut, signing New York Jets should make

After the first season of the Aaron Rodgers era quickly fell apart, the New York Jets are entering one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history. Members of team brass are undoubtedly on the hot seat, making each decision this offseason all the more crucial for GM Joe Douglas.

With that in mind, here are a trade, cut and signing the Jets should make in the coming months. 

TRADE: Move down in the 2024 NFL Draft but still address the offensive line

New York's most significant needs this offseason unquestionably are upgrading at wide receiver and revamping the offensive line, both of which can be done in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, it's possible that premier receiving options, such as Washington's Rome Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers or tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame, won't be available at pick 10. If that's the case, New York should strongly consider moving down a few spots in the draft to collect additional draft capital before ultimately selecting a lineman. 

The mid-to-late portion of April's first round should see a run on offensive linemen, with intriguing options at tackle (Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton and Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga). The interior offensive linemen aren't slouches either, with Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson and Duke's Graham Barton offering reliable and versatile play.

Among these prospects, Guyton and Powers-Johnson could make the most sense for the Jets, who would likely be able to add a mid-round pick to spend on a wideout if they trade down. Per Pro Football Focus, Guyton surrendered just two sacks and 17 pressures over the past four seasons, whereas Powers-Johnson didn't give up a sack and only allowed four pressures during his three-year collegiate career. 

CUT: Left guard Laken Tomlinson 

New York has a few no-brainer cut candidates this offseason, and while Tomlinson doesn't necessarily fall into that category, the team should part ways with him if he doesn't agree to a contract restructure.

Despite starting every game with the Jets since signing a three-year, $40M deal with the team in 2022, the former first-round pick played well below expectations, most notably this past season. Tomlinson surrendered the second-most pressures (51), third-most QB hits (10) and fourth-most sacks (seven) among guards in 2023.

While New York would save more money by cutting Tomlinson after June 1, it should do so before then to spend the additional cap space during free agency. According to Over the Cap, the Jets would save $8.1M by designating Tomlinson as a pre-June 1 cut and would take on a $10.7M dead cap hit.

SIGNING: Wide receiver Curtis Samuel 

The Jets must add at least one impactful wide receiver this offseason, considering how disastrous the four-year, $44M contract Allen Lazard signed last offseason already appears to be. They'll likely inquire about Mike Evans' services again after attempting to trade for him this past October, but it seems doubtful at this point that the 30-year-old will leave Tampa Bay.

Outside of Evans, there aren't many realistic high-end wideout options available the Jets could sign who don't carry risk. Because of this, bringing in a low-risk receiver who the Jets would be able to use in a multitude of ways, such as Samuel, could be a worthwhile investment in free agency. 

Samuel, 27, established himself as a valuable contributor for the pass-happy Commanders over the past two seasons, racking up 126 receptions for 1,269 yards and 10 total touchdowns. 

Since being drafted in 2017, Samuel has been one of the NFL's most versatile weapons, as his 715 career rushing yards and seven touchdowns scored on the ground each ranked second among wide receivers in that span. Although he's not a piece that necessarily puts the Jets over the top, Samuel has the skills that would complement budding superstar WR Garrett Wilson.