should jets pursue OG Kelechi Osemele in free agency ? ? ?

[kelly]

— The Ravens on Friday opted to place the franchise tag on kicker Justin Tucker.

So what does this have to do with the Jets ? 

Well, maybe nothing, but maybe something. 

NFL teams are allowed to use the franchise tag on just one player per year. So Tucker is it for Baltimore. That means offensive guard Kelechi Osemele probably is going to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 9. 

Should the Jets pursue him ? 

Let's examine a few factors. 

First, Osemele is a fine player. A second-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2012, he has been a starter ever since he was drafted — 51 games played, 51 starts.NFL.com just put out a list of the top 99 pending free agents available this year. Osemele checked in at No. 10 overall, No. 2 among offensive linemen (behind the Bills tackle Cordy Glenn), and No. 1 among guards.NFL.com's assessment of Osemele: "If your team needs a run blocker, Osemele is easily the best name on the market." Pro Football Focus rated the Jets' offensive line 25th in the NFL in run blocking last season. 

Here's the obvious issue for the Jets: Would they even have enough salary cap space to fit Osemele in ?

Remember, the Jets really want to re-sign defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, nose tackle Damon Harrison, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In an ideal world, they'd like to retain running back Chris Ivory, too.The Jets currently have $21.6 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com. They can create more by cutting right tackle Breno Giacomini ($4.375 million savings), wide receiver Jeremy Kerley ($1.3 million), and tight end Jeff Cumberland ($1.9 million). 

Osemele could definitely help the Jets. They signed free agent left guard James Carpenter last offseason, and he was a productive addition to their line. But the right guard situation is dicey.Willie Colon won the starting job in training camp, but chronic knee issues prevented him from finishing the season. Colon is a pending free agent who might retire. Brian Winters replaced Colon last season, but he's no sure thing, as he enters his fourth NFL season. Beyond Winters, the Jets are looking at totally unproven young guys like Dakota Dozier and Jarvis Harrison. So ideally, the Jets could use an offensive guard. But Osemele might be in such high demand that his price would prove too steep. 

> http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/02/should_jets_pursue_offensive_guard_kelechi_osemele.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

-- The Baltimore Ravens made a lucrative offer to soon-to-be free-agent Kelechi Osemele, a move that indicates he's the team's preference at left tackle.Bringing back Osemele would likely result in the release or trade ofEugene Monroe and remove Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley as a possibility for the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. The offer to Osemele would make him the second-highest-paid offensive player on the Ravens, according to the NFL Network.

This is a surprising development because it was assumed Osemele had priced himself out of the Ravens' price range.“It’s a really aggressive deal,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Thursday at the NFL combine. “I think it shows a lot of respect to K.O. [Osemele]. It shows him that we really want him here, and I hope that he takes it.”The Ravens have been searching for a long-term answer at left tackle since Jonathan Ogden retired at the end of the 2007 season, and they believe Osemele could fill that void after watching him start four games at that spot last season.

Osemele, 26, is considered the Ravens' top free agent this offseason, especially after the team announced it would put the franchise tag on kicker Justin Tucker. A second-round pick in 2012, Osemele has started at right tackle and left guard before moving to left tackle in the final month last season.“I’m sure he’s shopping the deal,” Harbaugh said. “I hope he says, ‘You know what, I know what the Ravens are all about. I know they believe in me. I know what kind of football they want to play. And I feel like I’m part of this thing for a long time, like Marshal Yanda has done.'"

The Ravens thought they had addressed left tackle in 2014, when they signed Monroe to a five-year, $37.5 million deal that included $17.5 million guaranteed. But Monroe has missed 16 games (including playoffs) since signing that contract, which put his future in Baltimore in jeopardy.Baltimore would gain $2.1 million in cap space if it releases or trades Monroe now and would create $6.5 million if it designates him as a June 1 cut. Monroe received a lukewarm vote of confidence from Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome on Wednesday.

“Right now, Monroe is our starting left tackle because K.O. is a free agent,” Newsome said.

If the Ravens fail to re-sign Osemele, they would have to determine whether they want to stick with Monroe or use one of their top two draft picks on an offensive tackle.“We still have Eugene; he’s still in our program,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll put the best five guys out there and build the best offensive line we can, really no matter who’s here and who’s not here. But you know, as a coach, I really want K.O. here. And I hope he feels the same way.”

> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/198762/ravens-make-aggressive-offer-to-offensive-tackle-kelechi-osemele

[kelly]

The general thinking is free agent Kelechi Osemele won't return to theBaltimore Ravens because he has priced himself out of their range.That seems particularly true if other teams value Osemele as much as the analysts at Pro Football Focus. Osemele was ranked as the top free-agent offensive lineman this offseason and the seventh-best free agent overall.

This is high praise for Osemele, who was only ranked behind Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon and Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.What stands out with Osemele is his physical play, his mean streak and his versatility. He was the starting right tackle on the Ravens' Super Bowl team in 2012, and then developed into one of the best young guards in the league the past two seasons. Osemele then increased his value by starting the last four games at left tackle last season.

There has been some discussion about whether Osemele could be Baltimore's long-term answer at left tackle, especially after two disappointing seasons from Eugene Monroe. But the Ravens, who are projected to have very little cap room, can't afford to put the franchise tag on Osemele (it's estimated at $13.7 million) and likely won't be able to outbid other teams.The other offensive linemen ranked in PFF's top 25 include Bills tackleCordy Glenn (No. 10) and guard Richie Incognito (No. 16), Broncos guard Evan Mathis (No. 18), Raiders tackle Donald Penn (No. 23) and Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum (No. 25).

>  http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/25731/ravens-kelechi-osemele-rated-top-free-agent-offensive-lineman-by-pro-football-focus

[RutgersJetFan]

Should they? Maybe they should.

Or maybe they shouldn't.

[Raideraholic]

14 minutes ago, kelly said:

— The Ravens on Friday opted to place the franchise tag on kicker Justin Tucker.

So what does this have to do with the Jets ? 

Well, maybe nothing, but maybe something. 

NFL teams are allowed to use the franchise tag on just one player per year. So Tucker is it for Baltimore. That means offensive guard Kelechi Osemele probably is going to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 9. 

Should the Jets pursue him ? 

Let's examine a few factors. 

First, Osemele is a fine player. A second-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2012, he has been a starter ever since he was drafted — 51 games played, 51 starts.NFL.com just put out a list of the top 99 pending free agents available this year. Osemele checked in at No. 10 overall, No. 2 among offensive linemen (behind the Bills tackle Cordy Glenn), and No. 1 among guards.NFL.com's assessment of Osemele: "If your team needs a run blocker, Osemele is easily the best name on the market." Pro Football Focus rated the Jets' offensive line 25th in the NFL in run blocking last season. 

Here's the obvious issue for the Jets: Would they even have enough salary cap space to fit Osemele in ?

Remember, the Jets really want to re-sign defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, nose tackle Damon Harrison, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In an ideal world, they'd like to retain running back Chris Ivory, too.The Jets currently have $21.6 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com. They can create more by cutting right tackle Breno Giacomini ($4.375 million savings), wide receiver Jeremy Kerley ($1.3 million), and tight end Jeff Cumberland ($1.9 million). 

Osemele could definitely help the Jets. They signed free agent left guard James Carpenter last offseason, and he was a productive addition to their line. But the right guard situation is dicey.Willie Colon won the starting job in training camp, but chronic knee issues prevented him from finishing the season. Colon is a pending free agent who might retire. Brian Winters replaced Colon last season, but he's no sure thing, as he enters his fourth NFL season. Beyond Winters, the Jets are looking at totally unproven young guys like Dakota Dozier and Jarvis Harrison. So ideally, the Jets could use an offensive guard. But Osemele might be in such high demand that his price would prove too steep. 

> http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/02/should_jets_pursue_offensive_guard_kelechi_osemele.html#incart_river_index

K Osemele is probably going to be too expensive for the Jets.   Someone will sign him to be their left tackle.( he proved he could play there) .  K Osemele is 26 years old ( just entering his prime) and could be looking at 10-12 million per year contract easily.  Teams with the most cap space that need a Left tackle , will be in hard for Osemele.

 

[shuler82]

I don't see how they will be able to afford him unless they trade Wilk

[Raideraholic]

12 minutes ago, kelly said:

The general thinking is free agent Kelechi Osemele won't return to theBaltimore Ravens because he has priced himself out of their range.That seems particularly true if other teams value Osemele as much as the analysts at Pro Football Focus. Osemele was ranked as the top free-agent offensive lineman this offseason and the seventh-best free agent overall.

This is high praise for Osemele, who was only ranked behind Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon and Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.What stands out with Osemele is his physical play, his mean streak and his versatility. He was the starting right tackle on the Ravens' Super Bowl team in 2012, and then developed into one of the best young guards in the league the past two seasons. Osemele then increased his value by starting the last four games at left tackle last season.

There has been some discussion about whether Osemele could be Baltimore's long-term answer at left tackle, especially after two disappointing seasons from Eugene Monroe. But the Ravens, who are projected to have very little cap room, can't afford to put the franchise tag on Osemele (it's estimated at $13.7 million) and likely won't be able to outbid other teams.The other offensive linemen ranked in PFF's top 25 include Bills tackleCordy Glenn (No. 10) and guard Richie Incognito (No. 16), Broncos guard Evan Mathis (No. 18), Raiders tackle Donald Penn (No. 23) and Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum (No. 25).

>  http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/25731/ravens-kelechi-osemele-rated-top-free-agent-offensive-lineman-by-pro-football-focus

The Ravens are smart the bigger the contract a team signs him for ,the bigger the the compensation pick.( probably going to get a third rounder) .  I think they are trying to drive up his price tag .( don't want to see the Steelers come away with him- price him out of their range).

[kelly]

Free-agent bargains: Which players offer most value ?

Free agency is just around the corner. We've already broken down our top 99 free agents, now it's time to start predicting the madness. On Tuesday, we examined the players who are bound to get paid too much in free agency. We now take a look at the players who offer the most bang for the buck.

Chris Ivory, Lamar Miller, running backs

 

Nobody wants to pay running backs anymore, so why not take advantage of this and import some high-end talent in a depressed market? Enter Chris Ivory and Lamar Miller, two very different backs who had stretches last season where they looked like the best player on the field. When Ivory is right, he evokes legit Beast Mode comparisons. Miller is an ascendant dual threat who was never quite appreciated in Miami. Tip to a cap-rich team looking for total backfield reboot: Sign both these guys and light a cigar. -- Dan Hanzus

Walter Thurmond, safety

 

 

Last year was really the first healthy season we've seen from Walter Thurmond, who teamed with Malcolm Jenkins to form one of the NFC's top safety duos in Philly. Unlikely to break the bank, Thurmond is a candidate to outplay his next contract if a suitor plays its cards right. After years of playing second fiddle in Seattle, Thurmond has yet to break out on his own over the past two seasons, but he's an interesting target to take a chance on for the right team. -- Marc Sessler

Kelvin Beachum, offensive tackle

 

It's not often a legitimate starting left tackle hits the open market at 26 years old. If it weren't for his ACL tear six games into the 2015 season, he'd be much higher on the offseason radar and might not even be hitting free agency. When he started all 16 games in 2014, Beachum was a top-10 left tackle in the NFL. Injury and the lack of consistency prior to 2014 could keep Beachum's price tag down. With so many teams in desperate need of offensive line help, Beachum should prove to be a steal at the right price. --Kevin Patra

Dwayne Allen, tight end

 

Why is Dwayne Allen so intriguing after the Colts underutilized him in their offense last season? AsCardinals general manager Steve Keim explained at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, teams have accepted that blocking tight ends aren't skilled enough to be pass catchers and receiving tight ends can't block well enough to help in the run game. When healthy, Allen is one of the handful of tight ends with the talent, body type and willingness to do both. -- Chris Wesseling

Vernon Davis, tight end

The tight end will probably come at the veteran's minimum or something close to it after a disappearing act in 2015. This was not all Vernon Davis' doing, however. In-season trades, especially to teams running three different offenses that are, at times, quarterbacked byPeyton Manning, are extremely difficult to navigate. Davis was simply lost in the shuffle, and it happens to the best of them. While his production has been on the decline for two years now, he's not that far removed from a 13-touchdown season. In the right offense, he might be able to have a James Jones-type career resurgence. If nothing else, he will be a fine hybrid/slot tight end option still quick enough to cause mismatches against linebackers in coverage. -- Conor Orr

 

Jaye Howard, defensive lineman

 

Howard flew under the radar as a disruptive penetrator for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. The 27-year-old lineman owns the versatility to play nose tackle or defensive end in a 3-4 defense or tackle in a 4-3 D. His ability to get up field and blow up running plays pops on film. The 301-pound lineman pushes the pocket against the pass, allowing edge rushers -- Justin Houston, Tamba Hali in K.C. -- to make plays. Last season, Howard wrecked havoc all along the line, gobbling up 5.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits in 13 starts. With a draft stocked with defensive lineman and several big names ahead of him in free agency, Howard is ripe to get a contract that could be viewed as a steal in a year or two. -- Kevin Patra

Ladarius Green, tight end

 

 

Ladarius Green never really lived up to the hype in San Diego, but this formerMaking The Leap candidate will be 26 on opening day, and can block and beat linebackers down the seam. He also lacks typical wear and tear after playing in the considerable shadow ofAntonio Gates for years. The fit is important here: If Green ends up in a good offense with a prolific passer, he has serious breakout potential. What if the Saints got Green on the cheap? -- Dan Hanzus

Tyvon Branch, safety

Pro Football Focus rated Tyvon Branch ahead of Cincinnati's George Iloka this season despite playing just 435 snaps. The Chiefs' backfield might just be too crowded for a player that should have a market when free agency opens in March. Branch is 29, but bounced back after two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland. He appeared in 16 games for the Chiefs and allowed just 56 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught. This list is not necessarily the sexiest bunch of names, but teams who are able to find a solid contributor or a starter this way often find themselves in a better position to sign their own stars or swing for the fences at other spots in free agency. -- Conor Orr

Derrick Shelby, defensive end

 

Derrick Shelby might not be a household name, but he had one of the NFL's most overlooked contract-year pushes as Cameron Wake's replacement down the stretch last season. A stout run defender with exceptionally strong hands, Shelby also made a habit of bulldozing linemen into the quarterback's lap as a disruptive interior force on third downs. Although he lacks the speed to emerge as a premier edge rusher, Shelby is a versatile defensive lineman just entering the prime of his career. -- Chris Wesseling

Jahri Evans, guard

Jahri Evans was a salary-cap casualty for a reason -- he makes a lot of money because he's good at what he does. A six-time Pro Bowler, Evans will be 33 and healthy on opening day, and might not come for more than the price of an Evan Mathis deal in the neighborhood of one year for $4 million-$5.5 million. Evans is known for having an excellent locker room presence and has been the foundation of New Orleans' offensive line for nearly a decade. These situations are often mutually beneficial for the player and team. Evans can come into camp late while a team gives a younger, developing player reps in the interim. Evans is good enough to plug and play. -- Conor Orr

 

Mitchell Schwartz, offensive tackle

 

Mitchell Schwartz flew under the radar last season on a bad Browns team, but he's the same right tackle who held Denver's Von Miller to just one assist over 66 snaps during a regular-season tilt. A cerebral and emerging player, Schwartz has the talent to help anchor an NFL line for years to come.-- Marc Sessler

>   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000640643/article/freeagent-bargains-which-players-offer-most-value