Getty Several New York Jets players celebrating a touchdown during the 2021 preseason.
The New York Jets are starting to put the pieces together for their full offseason roster as they turn the page to the 2022 offseason.
While there will technically be a team on paper here in early January, there is still going to be a ton of turnover over the next handful of months with free agency and the 2022 NFL draft around the corner.
Although one player that Jets fans will likely have circled on their roster sheet this summer has returned to the fold.
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A High Upside Player With an Unreal Ceiling
On Thursday, January 13 the Jets announced that they have brought back Lawrence Cager on a ‘reserve/future’ contract.
While that is interesting on the surface, the more fascinating nugget was the position they listed him at. Throughout his young career thus far he has played wide receiver, but Gang Green announced him as a tight end.
The 24-year-old wideout originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia back in 2020. Shortly after the draft, he signed on with the Jets.
Despite not hearing his name called, Cager was considered one of the top priority free agents on the market.
The green and white had long been intrigued by his freakish size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and thought he was a diamond in the rough.
Fans agreed and he became a bit of a cult hero among the fanbase. With that size and some intriguing highlights from his time in college, a lot of people speculated whether or not he could be a big-time player in the NFL.
Through the first two years in the pros, the talent hasn’t translated to instant success.
LAWRENCE CAGER WILL BE MAKING HIS NFL DEBUT TOMORROW
LET’S GOOO✈️
Cager has only played in three games during his time with the Jets and the Cleveland Browns registering just two catches for 35 yards.
Now that he has returned to New York, fans are once again hopeful that the obvious talent that sits beneath the surface can finally be realized.
What he lacks in experience he more than makes up for in size. Cager’s 6-foot-5 frame is by far the tallest wide receiver on the Jets roster and presents a potential red-zone weapon with a Brandon Marshall-like wingspan.
Although now they’ll be transitioning that talented piece of clay to the tight end position. Considering the lack of juice at the position, this is a smart position change for Cager who will have a much better opportunity to not only make the roster but to make an impact at the NFL level.
Going to Need Some Extra Juice
The Jets have a lot of intriguing pieces at the wide receiver position, but there isn’t enough star power.
Elijah Moore has the potential to be a true No. 1 wideout but lacks some of the normal prototypical items on the checklist like size.
Veteran Corey Davis is probably better suited in a Robin to a Batman role, as opposed to being an NFL offense’s top option in a passing attack.
The slot receiver position is very much in-flux heading into the offseason with both Braxton Berrios and Jamison Crowder set to be unrestricted free agents.
What the green and white are missing is an alpha in the receiving corps that can take over games and force opposing defensive coordinators to gameplan around them.
With a lot of assets to work with, the Jets will have some options to make some moves this offseason.
One potential move that is picking up a lot of steam on social media is the trade acquisition of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Go trade for Calvin Ridley.
This week, Connor Hughes of The Athletic advocated for the Jets to “go trade for Calvin Ridley.”
It will be interesting to see if general manager Joe Douglas ends up being as aggressive as he alluded to in his presser this week regarding potential trade acquisitions for proven talent.
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Jets Bring Back Fan-Favorite With Massive Upside, Makes Position Change