Latest Jets roster cut confirms team's most pressing need

Laken Tomlinson. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Jets roster cut confirms team's most pressing offseason need

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 2/26/24

The Jets released guard Laken Tomlinson on Monday evening, further establishing the offensive line as New York's most pressing need this offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the transaction, which will save the Jets roughly $8.1M. Rich Cimini provided further context, noting that while Tomlinson's durability made him respected in the locker room, his $18.8M cap number was too great for his production on the field.

The #Jets are releasing guard Laken Tomlinson, per source.

Move saves around $8.1M on the cap.

Incredibly durable player has started 114 straight games.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 27, 2024

This was an expected move. An $18.8 million cap charge was simply too high. The production didn’t match the number. A loss for the locker room. A quiet, but effective leader. The only OLM who avoided the injury plague. https://t.co/wk543InvRc
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 27, 2024

The offensive line was arguably New York's biggest need before Tomlinson was cut. As Bill Barnwell noted, the cap savings could be enough to sign multiple starters as the franchise attempts to improve the unit.

Mentioned this as a possibility in today's column. Tough to add another OL need to a long list for the Jets, but they can use this money and try to sign two linemen for the same price. https://t.co/0J5GV0K2oR
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) February 27, 2024

The Jets will have several options to choose from in free agency. Four linemen (center Lloyd Cushenberry, tackle Tyron Smith, guards Robert Hunt and Mike Onwenu) rank in the top 30 of NFL.com's best available free agents, and the group also includes guards Dalton Risner and Cody Whitehair, two players who ranked in the top 20 of ESPN's pass-block win-rate rankings in 2023.

New York will also be in play for an offensive lineman in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Recent mock drafts by ESPN's Matt Miller and NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah have the Jets selecting Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga at No. 10 overall.

In 2023, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, who started the majority of the season after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, was pressured on 30.5 percent of his dropbacks, the highest rate in the league.

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