The Jets' offensive line was more than in flux during the 2019 season.
Injuries and below average play plagued the Jets throughout the year. That made just about everything that much more difficult for quarterback Sam Darnold, head coach Adam Gase and the rest of Gang Green's offense.
While the Jets could use the 2020 NFL Draft to fix their offensive line, Pro Football Focus thinks they should get a head start in free agency with a big name.
PFF pegged one potential free agent every NFL team should sign this offseason. The Jets should add Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo, the football analytics outlet said.
Here's how PFF breaks down the Jets' potential target:
"Anthony Castonzo has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL for quite some time now, and if the New York Jets are going to pay any left tackle, it needs to be him. Kelvin Beachum, their 2019 starting left tackle, was the Jets' highest-graded lineman but didn't sniff the play of Castonzo, who was the third highest-graded left tackle in 2019. And since 2012, his lowest grade in a season is a solid 76.9."
As PFF indicates, left tackle isn't the exact spot the Jets could address first. Beachum, at an overall grade of 67.1 via PFF's grading system, was the Jets' only offensive lineman graded higher than their "average" category in 2019. But Beachum still ranked as the outlet's 40th-best overall tackle last season. Castonzo was seventh overall.
However, like Castonzo, Beachum is a pending free agent, so Castonzo would be a plug-and-play man at left tackle. But with Beachum's familiarity with Gase's offensive system, the Jets could bring the 30-year-old back next season and try to move him along the line.
Another big curveball in the Jets potentially landing Costonzo are reports that the 31-year-old might opt to retire instead of returning to the Colts or another NFL team.
Per Spotrac, Castonzo had an approximately $10.9 million salary cap hit last season and would once again come with a high price tag in free agency. The Jets are slated to have near $56 million in salary cap space heading into next offseason.
