Here we are, hours later, and the Jets are in an entirely different position. Let's take a look at how things changed, rather quickly...
1. CB Trumaine Johnson signs with the Jets for $15 million per season (years undisclosed).
Considered by most to be the premier corner on the market, the Jets now have their best CB in his prime since Darrelle Revis. Veteran Morris Claiborne did an admirable job as New York's CB1 last season, but he's injury-prone and inconsistent when considering the entirety of his enigmatic career. GM Mike Maccagnan may very well bring Claiborne back as his CB2; but in the meantime, Johnson joins safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye in what looks to be a very promising secondary for DB-obsessed head coach Todd Bowles.
$15 million seems like an awful lot per season, though.
JETS GRADE: B
HOT TAKES TEAM: "There we go Money Magsssss! We needed a corner. That's a huge signing -- Johnson is an awesome player relative to his position." - DJ Toby & The Valeriano Brothers
2. ILB Avery Williamson also expected to sign with the Jets.
Sometimes individual defensive players can get lost in the shuffle of their team's schemes, but Williamson has always stood out to me during Titans telecasts. He has natural instincts at the inside linebacker position, is an elite run-stuffer and flies to the ball without hesitation or second-guessing. He's a decisive defensive playmaker, and there's absolutely no way to knock the Jets' interest in him.
Here's a very interesting blurb on him, courtesy of Rotoworld.com: "Williams just turned 26 last week and was the top free-agent inside linebacker on the market. A 59-game starter for the Titans the last four seasons since being drafted in the fifth round, Williamson had a breakout 2017, grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 3 inside linebacker, behind only Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner."
That'll put a smile on the face of a fellow Jet fan.
JETS GRADE: A
HOT TAKES TEAM: "Let's go, baby! We needed a legit linebacker because Demario Davis is gone. I like Williamson, fellas. We needed a corner. We needed a linebacker. The Jets' defense is looking stacked." - The Valeriano Brothers
3. RB Isaiah Crowell signs with the Jets for three years (details still unclear).
I like the Williamson move the best of the three. Crowell is a decent professional running back, but I question both his vision and ball security. He flashes legitimate explosiveness at times, but I'm not sure he can thrive in the Jets' offensive system with questionable offensive line play and uncertainty at the quarterback position. Judging Crowell's potential value will be easier after New York rounds out its offensive personnel.
At least one thing is for sure: Crowell is clearly better than recent retiree, Matt Forte. It's an upgrade for the Jets, no matter how you look at it.
JETS GRADE: B-
HOT TAKES TEAM: (Prior to Johnson and Williamson) "We made a move!!!" - Frank Valeriano
"I like Crowell! He was underutilized in Cleveland, and now he's extra motivated." - DJ
"You sure it's not Germane Crowell? Never know with the Jets." - Sam Ytuarte, former all-state left-handed pitcher and legendary playground quarterback
"Vomit. I don't even like Crowell. Fumbles a lot. Not shifty. Runs into walls. He blows. I hate everything." - Me
"John, just go put on the spring training game, relax with a beer and watch some of the Mets get injured." - DJ
4. CB Malcolm Butler gets 5 years, $61 million from the Titans.
That Super Bowl controversy still creeps me out. Was Butler insignificant enough for Bill Belichick to feel comfortable benching him for the biggest game in the world? Obviously there were some off-field issues at play, but are Butler's on-field skills already in decline? Ya gotta hand it to Belicheat; he really knows how to get inside people's heads. I'm not sure what to think about Butler at this point.
One thing's for sure -- $12.2 million per season seems a tad too high to me. I think Tennessee got a little overexcited, here. Nevertheless, I know Butler's (at least) a very solid player at his position.
TITANS GRADE: B-
5. RB Dion Lewis gets 4 years, $20 million, also from the Titans.
No need to go crazy, here. This is an affordable, smart move. Lewis' legs are fresher than DeMarco Murray's (who will be signing elsewhere), and the former will create a nice mix-and-match combo with the ever-dangerous Derrick Henry.
TITANS GRADE: A
6. WR Danny Amendola signs for 2 years, $12 million with the Dolphins.
Is that price tag a joke? Maccagnan and the Jets were asleep at the wheel on this one. With the most cap space on the market, New York should have offered $15 million and stolen away this talented veteran receiver. The knock on Amendola is obvious -- he gets hurt, often -- but this contract is just too agreeable to pass up. There's very little risk for the Dolphins, here. Great move.
DOLPHINS GRADE: A-
7. DE Muhammad Wilkerson inks a 1-year deal with the Packers for $5 million.
One word...steal.
"Mo-Will" got tired of playing and losing in New York, so he mailed it in the past couple years. The change of scenery will work wonders for him. You can dog it around Todd Bowles, Maccagnan and Christian Hackenberg, but that shit ain't gonna fly with Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. The Packers are a higher-level organization. A serious organization. Mo-Will will show them what he's capable of, and Green Bay will be laughing about that measly $5 million tab. This is a great match for both sides.
PACKERS GRADE: A-
8 and 9. The Jets sign QBs Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to 1-year deals.
Let the competition begin. The Jets may very well draft another quarterback, too. Bridgewater obviously has more upside because of his age, but McCown is coming off one of the best years of his lengthy professional career. In the back of my mind, I kind of feel like the Jets organization views McCown as a future high-level coach. Maybe an eventual replacement for overmatched Bowles? Quarterbacks coach?
We'll see, but, Maccagnan did what he had to do with Cousins, Brees and Keenum off the market. That doesn't mean I'm happy about the situation, though.
HOT TAKES TEAM: "McCown's not locked into the starting spot, now." - Billy
"Gotta draft the best quarterback available. Let him hold the clipboard year one. Try to improve your offensive line in the meantime." - Doug Muhlbauer
"I don't think we're drafting a quarterback. I want us to trade down to get some monster offensive linemen. Trade with the Bills." - DJ
"You are 100 percent right. We're not taking a quarterback at No. 6, but we are definitely taking one within the first two rounds. What if we traded down and got Baker Mayfield at like 15?" - Billy
"I'm okay with that as long as we have another first-round pick."
"I read that the Jets LOVE Mayfield." - Chris Dickie
"If we don't take a quarterback in the first round, you're all dead." - Me
"I agree, John. Look around the NFL - 70 percent of the starters are first-round picks." - Billy
"Teddy was a first-round pick." - DJ
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