In a somewhat surprising move, New York Jets starting left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson has elected to retire from the NFL. Ferguson announced his intentions on Friday morning, but his departure will leave the Jets with a major hole on the offensive line. As a result, the team is going to need to select a replacement for him early in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Ferguson was a mainstay for the Jets since the team took him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ferguson came in and started immediately at the left tackle position and he never gave it up. During his career, Ferguson never missed a game and played 10,707 snaps of a possible 10,708. His durability was crucial to the continued success of the Jets’ offensive line, and it’s safe to say he will be missed.
However, Ferguson’s ability did slip during his final season, and that is likely what prompted his retirement. The team had also approached him about taking a pay cut, so perhaps he felt like he was more of a liability at this point in his career. Still, the Jets are going to have trouble replacing him immediately, as the only real options on the free agent market are the oft-injured duo of Ryan Clady and Will Beatty. That said, they will have to hope one of the top tackles in the draft makes it to their selection.
The Jets are picking No. 20 overall this year, and because of that it is hard to imagine that either of the top tackles in the draft, Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin, will fall to them. The team could trade up, but they have other needs that would be difficult to fill if they did. Because of this, the Jets will have to look to one of the late first-round options. Jason Spriggs and Taylor Decker will likely be available, and I would wager that Spriggs would be a better fit with the Jets because of his athleticism.
Ferguson’s retirement is not going to badly hurt the Jets, but it could cause some problems until they find a capable replacement. While the team is saving money now thanks to Ferguson’s decision, their on-field play will suffer and it remains to be seen if they will be able to adequately replace him in the near future.
