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The Jets made a number of housekeeping moves before the start of free agency today to bolster their roster.
Restricted free agents
Today was the deadline for the team to offer one year tenders to restricted free agents. The tenders give the Jets the right of first refusal as these players are free to seek offers from other teams. The Jets could also receive a Draft pick as compensation if they choose not to match an offer for a restricted free agent. Click here for a refresher on restricted free agency.
The Jets announced their tender offers.
We have tendered the following players:
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 14, 2018
WR Quincy Enunwa: 2nd round
S Rontez Miles & OL Brent Qvale: Right of first refusal
TE Neal Sterling: Original round pic.twitter.com/ciMH3FODFy
This gives Enunwa a one year contract offer of around $2.9 million. The Jets will receive a second round pick if they choose not to match an offer. The Enunwa tender was widely expected. The only drama was his health. If Enunwa’s neck injury was career-threatening, we would have found out as the Jets likely would not have tendered him.
Miles, Qvale, and Sterling received tenders of around $1.9 million. The Jets would receive a seventh round pick if they do not match an offer for Sterling and no compensation if Miles or Qvale go elsewhere.
Xavier Cooper was not offered a tender and now will become an unrestricted free agent.
After Enunwa, there was a valid argument either way about the other players. Sterling played a strong Week 17 game in New England, the rare game where he saw extended action. Miles has played some solid games as a backup and has value as a special teamer. Cooper gave the team a handful of decent snaps but wasn’t a major contributor. Qvale? Ok, that one is tougher to justify. He isn’t much of a backup.
In any event, the numbers are small, and the decisions probably won’t move the needle.
Terrence Brooks re-signs
The Jets also re-signed backup safety Terrence Brooks.
Safety Terrence Brooks is going back to the #Jets on a 2-year deal, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
Brooks was acquired in a preseason trade with the Eagles for Dexter McDougle. His best game came in Week 3 when he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting a pair of passes against the Dolphins. A depth guy was a pretty good return for a deal in exchange for a player who probably has no future in the league in McDougle.
Exclusive rights free agents
The Jets also announced the re-signings of exclusive rights free agents. These players do not have enough service time to even become restricted free agents. If the Jets wanted these guys, they had no other option in the NFL but to sign the contract offered.
We have re-signed the following exclusive rights FAs:
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 14, 2018
S Doug Middleton
FB Lawrence Thomas
TE Eric Tomlinson
https://t.co/ZAeFUND7WJ pic.twitter.com/RbNy1ao8ay
Tomlinson was the most valuable of these three. He did good work as a blocking tight end.
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