Breaking Down Odds of New York Jets’ Defensive Free Agents Returning

By Greg Sulik @GregSulik on February 12, 2015

The New York Jets don’t have a ton of key free agents hitting the market this offseason, but the few they do have are on the defensive side of the ball. New GM Mike Maccagnan has some big decisions to make, so let’s look at the odds of the Jets’ defensive free agents returning next season.

Note: Harrison and Jarrett are RFAs, all others are UFAs. For offensive free agents click here

DE Leger Douzable:

Douzable has been a solid backup for the Jets over the last two seasons, and he recorded 25 tackles and a career high 2.5 sacks this year. The Jets don’t have any reason to replace him, so look for Douzable to be back in New York unless he gets a big offer elsewhere.

Odds of returning: 85%

DT Damon Harrison:

Harrison is arguably the most important free agent the Jets have. 26 year old nose tackles with elite run stuffing abilities don’t grow on trees, and there are few in the business better than Harrison. Harrison didn’t have quite as good a season this year as in 2013, but he was still a major part of the Jets’ 5th ranked run defense. Given that he’s a restricted free agent, Harrison is a safe bet to return and keep the Sons of Anarchy intact.

Odds of returning: 90%

DT Kenrick Ellis:

Ellis has never quite lived up to his third round draft status, though he has grown into a quality reserve. However, the Jets already have T.J. Barnes to serve as Harrison’s backup, meaning Ellis is likely to be looking for a new home.

Odds of returning: 30%

ILB David Harris:

Harris is the team’s most interesting case this offseason. The Jets want him back, but only at the right price. There is a good chance Rex Ryan will try to bring him to the Buffalo Bills, something the Jets would rather avoid. Harris is still a quality player and has led the team in tackles in each of the last three seasons, and failing to bring him back would create a huge void both on and off the field. The Jets need to get this done, and they should as long as Harris is reasonable with his price.

Odds of returning: 65%

ILB Nick Bellore:

Bellore is a very good special teams player, and the team doesn’t have any young inside linebackers waiting in the wings. It makes sense to bring Bellore back, and it would be surprising if the Jets didn’t re-sign him.

Odds of returning: 75%

OLB: Jermaine Cunningham:

Cunningham tore his Achilles in training camp and then followed that up by getting arrested at the end of the season. The Jets have several young outside linebackers and are probably going to add another, so Cunningham will be gone.

Odds of returning: 5%

CB Kyle Wilson:

If there is one thing Jets fans are happy about from 2014 it’s that the Kyle Wilson era is over. Wilson is a first round bust who has drawn quite a bit of ire from Jets fans over the last four years, and there isn’t much in his play that warrants re-signing him. Wilson will have use to somebody, but it would be very surprising if that was the Jets.

Odds of returning: 15%

CB Phillip Adams:

The Jets have enough backup corners on their roster right now, including two that outperformed Adams in Darrin Walls and Marcus Williams. Adams was a necessary fill-in, but the Jets are looking for starting caliber corners this offseason.

Odds of returning: 10%

SS Dawan Landry:

Landry is an interesting case, because he can still play and is a valuable member of the locker room. However, he is 32 years old and his presence is impeding Calvin Pryor’s development. The team gets worse by letting Landry go, but it’s best for them long term. Even if the Jets try to re-sign him, the smart money is on Landry landing in Buffalo.

Odds of returning: 25%

SS Jaiquawn Jarrett:

Jarrett made a name for himself with his massive performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but in reality he is a special teamer. Since Jarrett is a restricted free agent it makes sense to bring him back, but he shouldn’t be ahead of Pryor or Antonio Allen in the safety rotation.

Odds of returning: 65%

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