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After 1 Week of Free Agency, How Did Jets' Offense Grow?

Unit-by-Unit Review of New Arrivals, Recent Departures, Players in Holding Patterns

Le'Veon Bell

The Jets proved to be major players in the first week of the NFL's unrestricted free agency signing period, which is wrapping up later today. As Jets WR legend Wayne Chrebet put it, "On paper, we got a lot better in the last week." Where are the Jets position by position at this point? Here are quick takes on the Green & White offense heading into week 2, offense first:

RUNNING BACK
Arrivals:
In the last eight seasons, Le'Veon Bell, who played for the Steelers from 2013-17, leads all qualifying NFL backs by converting 23.7% of his scrimmage touches into first downs and is tied for first with Todd Gurley at 5.2 yards/touch. And now he's lining up behind Sam Darnold.

Departures: Isaiah Crowell was released.

Holding Patterns: Bilal Powell, after eight strong seasons of Jets service, remains a UFA.

Still On Board: De'Angelo Henderson was tendered as an exclusive rights FA.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Arrivals:
Jamison Crowder was limited last season in Washington's slot with an ankle injury but from 2015-17 he "came off the bench" for 192 catches, 2,240 yards and 12 touchdowns and his 5.7 YAC average was in the top 15 among WRs in that span (so was Quincy Enunwa's 6.1). Josh Bellamy is listed as a WR but he makes no bones about wanting to contribute any way he can, especially on every one of Brant Boyer's special teams units.

Departures: Andre Roberts, off his Pro Bowl returning year, has to be replaced after signing with Buffalo.

Holding Patterns: UFAs Jermaine Kearse and Rishard Matthews remain unsigned.

Still On Board: Dangerous downfield WR Robby Anderson was tendered at the second-round level as a restricted FA. He still could sign another team's offer sheet but the Jets have right of first refusal. Deontay Burnett was tendered as an ERFA.

Take a Look Through the Free Agency Additions, Re-Signings and Acquisitions Held at 1 Jets Drive

TIGHT ENDS
Arrivals:
Eric Tomlinson and Daniel Brown just signed on to Adam Gase's offense to supplement Chris Herndon off his strong rookie showing and third-year man Jordan Leggett. Brown's receiving numbers aren't large but he's a big third-TE-type blocker and special teams contributor.

Departures: Clive Walford left to join Miami.

Holding Pattern: Neal Sterling remains an unsigned UFA.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Arrivals:
Kelechi Osemele, a seven-year NFL starter, mostly at LG, and a Pro Bowler in 2016-17 for Oakland, landed in a trade. He prides himself on his physicality and has already told Darnold, "I'm your new bodyguard." Tom Compton, signed this week, has been a versatile journeyman who's started for Washington, Chicago and Minnesota, mostly at guard, but has also blocked as an eligible third TE on at least 15 touchdown plays from 2013-16 with the Redskins and Falcons.

Still On Board: Jonotthan Harrison, who started eight of the last nine games at C last season, re-signed. Brent Qvale, a big Swiss army knife, over the past three years has 14 starts at RT, RG and TE and over 1,000 snaps combined on the OL and ST. OL Ben Braden, starting his third season on the roster, was tendered as an ERFA.

Departures: James Carpenter, the LG starter for the previous four seasons until last year's Game 10 injury, signed with Atlanta. C/G Spencer Long was released and signed with Buffalo.

Holding Patterns: Ben Ijalana and Dakota Dozier, plug-in contributors since 2016, are unsigned UFAs.

QUARTERBACK
Arrivals:
With Josh McCown undecided about continuing his long NFL career, the Jets moved to secure a backup for Darnold on Free Agency, Week 2, Day 1. They signed Trevor Siemian, who's backed up two strong veterans in Peyton Manning on Denver's Super Bowl 50 team and Kirk Cousins on Minnesota last year, and in between posted a 13-11 record as the Broncos' starter.

Still On Board: Davis Webb was tendered as an exclusive rights FA.

KICKERS
Arrivals:
It's the Return of the Catman as Chandler Catanzaro, who was solid as the Jets' kicker in 2017 with 25 of 30 field goal makes (83.3%) and the longest FG in franchise history (57 yards at Cleveland), has re-signed after spending last season with Tampa Bay and Carolina.

Departures: Jason Myers, off his strong Pro Bowl showing in 2018, signed with Seattle.

Wednesday: The Jets defense after the first week of free agency.

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