NFL New York Jets

Who Should Stay and Who Should Go For New York Jets: Offensive Line

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By @GregSulik

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The New York Jets have had so many problems at the skill positions in recent seasons that there hasn’t been a lot of focus on the offensive line, but that could change this offseason. The line was pretty stable for the Jets in terms of playing time, with the only change coming when Brian Winters tore his ACL and was replaced by Oday Aboushi. D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Willie Colon, and Breno Giacomini started every game, while Nick Mangold only missed the season finale.

However, consistency didn’t necessarily translate to results for the Jets, especially in pass protection. In a strange statistical anomaly, the Jets have allowed 47 sacks in each of the last three seasons, which ranked as the 8th most in the NFL this year. Though some of that is certainly due to the tendencies of Geno Smith and Michael Vick to hold onto the ball too long, plenty of blame can be given to the line.

They fared much better in the run game, however, where they paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked 3rd in total yards and 8th in yards per carry. However,there could be some changes on the line this offseason as the Jets look to rebuild their offense.

At left tackle, Ferguson remains a quality player but is no longer the elite tackle he once was. Ferguson turned 31 in December, and he had some issues with speed rushers throughout the year. Ferguson has enormous cap hits over the next four seasons, but his dead money drops dramatically every season. He will be back next season, but if his play slips he could end up leaving sooner rather than later.

Next to Ferguson, second year players Winters and Aboushi split the left guard duties. Winters was better than his abysmal rookie season in the six games he played this year, but he still has major problems in pass protection. Aboushi performed better than Winters did, offering a more consistent and less penalty prone presence. There is a chance both could start next season, but the more likely scenario is a training camp battle with Aboushi as the favorite.

At center, Mangold remains the rock of the offense and the team’s best offensive player. He made his sixth Pro Bowl this season and remains a high level player even though he turns 31 next week. Mangold is the fourth highest paid center in the league, but he still earns it. Although cutting him at any point over the next couple years would save the Jets a ton of money, it is nearly impossible to imagine a scenario in which he doesn’t complete the remaining three years on his contract in New York.

The one player who definitely won’t be back in New York next season is Colon, who has been decent over the last two years. Colon is a strong run blocker, but he has major problems in pass protection and with penalties (4th most in the NFL). The Jets will miss Colon’s leadership, but it is time to go in a younger direction at guard.

Finally, right tackle Giacomini did not live up to expectations. Giacomini is a solid run blocker, but he has issues of his own in pass protection, particularly against high level pass rushers. There are plenty of those in the AFC East, and the abuse that Mario Williams and Cameron Wake dished out on Giacomini this year are a big reason he could be moved inside to guard next season. Frankly, that would be a better fit, though his salary would rank on the higher end of guards.

As far as the backups go, there aren’t likely to be a ton of changes. The loser of the Winters/Aboushi battle will return, as will backup center Dalton Freeman. The Jets will continue to work on rookie Dakota Dozier, but they could look for an upgrade over Ben Ijalana as Ferguson insurance. Ferguson has only missed one snap in his nine year career (yeah, you read that right), but it never hurts to have a backup plan.

Right now, the key for the Jets is improving the right side of the line, particularly in pass protection. Replacing Colon is a top item on the offseason to-do list, but that will be the only major change.

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

Previously: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

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