It might feel heretical to say, but the Jets’ offensive line isn’t the massive project people think it is. Last offseason, plenty of fans and analysts were forecasting doom for the unit — some even demanding Joe Douglas use the fourth overall pick on tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
Thankfully, Douglas didn’t listen. Instead, he drafted Sauce Gardner, and Jets fans are better for it.
The critics felt a little vindicated when Mekhi Becton went down with another (completely different) knee injury during the preseason, leaving Douglas scrambling to patch holes. To be fair, the front office deserves some criticism for not having a veteran backup in place earlier. That said, the situation quickly snowballed — another tackle got injured, then another, and eventually even Alijah Vera-Tucker (AVT), who was holding down multiple spots. By season’s end, the Jets had lost three starting O-linemen and their backups to injured reserve.
It’s no wonder the conversation around the O-line feels murky. But if you look past the injury chaos, the Jets’ needs become a lot clearer — and a lot less catastrophic than some are making them out to be.
Offensive Line: The Real Context
Ignoring the freak wave of injuries, the biggest disappointment from last season wasn’t Becton — whose health issues were sadly predictable — it was George Fant. After an impressive 2021 that had many hopeful he could be the long-term answer at left tackle, Fant’s 2022 season was brutal. Even after returning from IR, his performance never really recovered.
On the positive side, AVT’s emergence as a legitimate starting tackle option gives the Jets enormous flexibility heading into 2023. His injury in Denver cut short a breakout season, but what he showed was enough to give the coaching staff confidence in his ability to hold down either guard or tackle.
Meanwhile, center Connor McGovern is out of contract and unlikely to be re-signed. Veterans like Duane Brown (pending a retirement decision) and stopgaps like Cedric Ogbuehi, Michael Remmers, Nate Herbig, Dan Feeney, and Greg Senat are also due to leave in free agency.
Where the Jets Stand Right Now
Here’s my assessment of the current Jets O-line situation:
Tackle:
- Two legitimate starters: Mekhi Becton and AVT
- Two serviceable backups: Duane Brown (pending decision) and Max Mitchell
- Needs: A fifth tackle and possibly a veteran insurance policy for Becton
Guard:
- Left guard: Laken Tomlinson (needs a bounce-back year)
- Right guard: Wide open if AVT moves to tackle full-time
- Needs: A starting right guard and a backup guard
Center:
- Needs: A new starting center
Summary:
- 1 starting center
- 1 starting guard
- 1 backup guard
- 1 additional tackle
Overall, it’s not a total rebuild — it’s a targeted upgrade plan.
The Smart (and Realistic) Approach
Re-sign Nate Herbig:
Herbig played 13 games and allowed just 1 sack, 3 QB hits, and 14 pressures — most of that damage coming late in the year. He was solid, especially given the circumstances, and he’ll be affordable. Keeping Herbig frees AVT to stay at tackle and stabilizes the right guard spot without overextending the budget.
Sign second- or third-tier free-agent tackles:
Adding a vet like Riley Reiff or Cam Erving makes sense if Brown retires. Alternatively, younger “rehab projects” like Isaiah Wynn or Andre Dillard could be brought in. Ideally, you sign two — one reliable vet and one upside project — to provide true depth behind Becton.
Draft John Michael Schmitz (C, Minnesota):
Don’t overthink this. Schmitz is agile, powerful, and offers four years of cost-controlled stability. Free agents like Ethan Pocic and Bradley Bozeman aren’t clear upgrades over McGovern. Schmitz would be an instant, major improvement.
Draft a developmental Day 3 guard:
Someone like Joe Tippmann (Wisconsin) fits perfectly. Tippmann played center in college, but at 6’6″, he projects better at guard in the NFL. His agility and versatility fit what the Jets need in a backup interior lineman, especially with Feeney departing.
Why I Prefer This to Drafting a Tackle in Round 1
The main reason? It reduces reliance on rookies starting immediately. If you take a tackle in Round 1, you’re likely forcing a rookie into action right away — and even the best prospects struggle early. Remember, Ikem Ekwonu had a rough first few games. Andrew Thomas was painful to watch in his rookie season with the Giants.
With my approach, the only new face starting is the center. The rest of the new additions — tackles, guards — are backups ready to step in if needed, without being thrown to the wolves.
Bottom Line:
The Jets’ offensive line doesn’t need a full-scale rebuild. It needs smart, targeted moves that blend youth, flexibility, and depth. If Joe Douglas plays it right, we could see a stable, above-average O-line protecting a very important quarterback next season.
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