The New York Jets are in sore need of quality players all over the field this offseason with offensive tackle at the top of the list. You can cross that off if the report that Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin is committing to signing with the Jets once free agency begins on March 18:
Per a league source, one NFL team has been informed that Conklin plans to sign with the Jets when free agency opens on March 18.
The report is just that, and nothing more. It doesn’t mean that the Jets and Conklin’s representation have struck a wink-nod deal. It doesn’t mean that they’ve even talked, although tampering is rampant in Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine.
All it means is that one NFL team has been informed that Conklin plans to sign with the Jets. Within the next 18 days, we’ll find out whether that happens.
Conklin was the eighth overall selection out of Michigan State in the 2016 NFL Draft and started every game in first two seasons for the Titans. Injuries limited him to nine games in 2018 but he was right back on the horse in 2019, starring all 16 games at right tackle. Last May, the Titans declined the fifth-year option on Conklin’s rookie contract making him eligible for free agency this year.
The Jets have $52.6 million in available cap space to sign free agents this offseason and general manager Joe Douglas has his work cut out for him. The Jets’ two starters at tackle last season  – Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell – are headed for free agency themselves in a few weeks, so expect Douglas to drive hard to the hoop on Conklin and maybe one other tackle.
Rotoworld believes Conklin could top the $18 million Lane Johnson got from the Philadelphia Eagles last season. For the Jets, who have one of the lowest-rated and shallow offensive lines, it would be well worth the investment.