The Jets have given two restricted free agents, center Wesley Johnson and cornerback Marcus Williams, second-round tenders ahead of the start of the free agency signing period that begins this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Johnson, originally Pittsburgh's fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, was acquired by the Jets on waivers from the Steelers early that regular season. Last year he took over the center position when Nick Mangold was injured, started eight of the final nine games, and participated in more than 650 offensive snaps on the season.
Williams started out with Houston as an undrafted free agent in 2014, was released from the Texans' practice squad on Sept. 23 that year and was signed by the Jets to their practice squad the next day. He was then signed to the Jets' active roster on Oct. 28 and started the last eight games that season. In 2015 he led the Jets with six interceptions and added a fumble recovery, and last year he had two more picks in 13 games (four starts) on a career-high 456 defensive plays.
Restricted free agents have played three accrued seasons. The top two RFA tender options are first-round and second-round, which indicates the compensation a team would get if another NFL team signs an RFA with that tender to an offer sheet.
