While you were sleeping, the New York Jets quickly moved at the closing of the first full day of NFL free agency to sign three players who could play major roles on the 2024 team.
New York agreed to a two-year deal with left guard John Simpson of the Baltimore Ravens, a two-year deal for backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor of the New York Giants, and a one-year deal for Javon Kinlaw of the San Francisco 49ers all in a matter of hours Monday night.
On a dominant offensive line with the Ravens, Simpson improved on his previous stint with the Las Vegas Raiders which saw him benched multiple times. He gave up just one sack during the season but graded out at an average of 56.5 by Pro Football Focus.
Simpson has a nasty streak to him and is better seen as a run blocker - a solid fit for New York's downhill running scheme. At just 26 years old, the Jets will look to Simpson to start at the left guard position on an offensive line that is expected to undergo major changes throughout the offseason.
Simpson is expected to replace Laken Tomlinson on the left side after the latter was released in a salary cap casualty move.
Following the Simpson signing, New York quickly agreed to terms with Kinlaw on a one-year deal that reunites the former 49er with his former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
In four seasons the former 14th overall pick in the 2020 draft has recorded just five sacks along the interior but is seen as a solid pass rusher who can force pressures in droves.
Finally, right before midnight, general manager Joe Douglas and the organization agreed to a two-year deal with the backup quarterback in Taylor.
The former Giant, Raven, Bill, and Charger has 58 starts in his career, possesses strong scrambling ability, and is an excellent locker room man. As a backup to future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Taylor should provide the necessary depth to the position after a season that saw New York go through four different signal callers for the second straight year.
Taylor was 2-3 as a starter with the Giants in 2023 but had New York playing competitively late in the year.
New York was rumored to be looking for bargain-bin players along free agency that fit their offensive scheme while not spending too much money on addressing the offensive line, wide receiver, safety, and backup quarterback room.
They have moved to solidify their depth as an early part of free agency.
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