After a mostly uneventful first day of the NFL legal tampering period, Jets general manager Joe Douglas made several late-night acquisitions Monday.
Veteran guard John Simpson agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal, according to a source. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw agreed to a one-year deal. And Tyrod Taylor is set to become Aaron Rodgers’ backup at quarterback after two years with the Giants.
Gang Green entered free agency needing three starters on its offensive line, and Simpson should help with that. Last season, Simpson started 19 games at left guard for the 13-4 Ravens. He allowed only one sack but committed 11 penalties.
The Jets needed a left guard after the team released Laken Tomlinson on Feb. 26. Simpson is a better run blocker than a pass protector. His footwork in passing situations often causes defenders to beat him during passing downs.
With Simpson agreeing to terms, the Jets will need to find two more starters in some variety. Alijah Vera-Tucker has the flexibility to play either right tackle or right guard, but the Jets will also need to add a left tackle, either through free agency or the draft.
Defensive tackle was also a need, with Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, and Al Woods all free agents. Kinlaw spent his first four years in the league with the 49ers.
Jets coach Robert Saleh was the 49ers defensive coordinator when Kinlaw was selected 14th overall in the first round out of South Carolina. Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich runs a similar system, which should benefit the 26-year-old.
Kinlaw never lived up to expectations during his time with the Niners, which is why they declined his fifth-year option for 2023. Last season in San Francisco, Kinlaw recorded 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
During his four seasons in the NFL, Kinlaw has registered 70 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback hits, five sacks, seven passes defensed, and an interception in 41 game appearances (28 starts).
