The Jets are about to add a new piece to better protect Sam Darnold.
Gang Green is in closing in on a trade to acquire Raiders Pro Bowl left guard Kelechi Osemele, according to sources.
Here’s the trade compensation:
The Jets are sending their 2019 fifth-round pick (140th overall) for Osemele and Oakland’s sixth-round pick (196th). So Gang Green will essentially be moving down 56 spots in the late rounds to acquire Osemele.
Although 6-5 Osmele is listed at 330 pounds, he tweeted last month that he is down to 296 pounds and focused on “health and wellness” after missing five games last season due to knee and toe injuries.
Osmele, who will turn 30 this summer, will replace James Carpenter.
General manager Mike Maccagnan made it clear at the Scouting Combine that he would be looking to bolster center and left guard. The Jets have agreed to a deal to bring back veteran offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison, according to sources. They also have interest in adding one of the top two free-agent centers (Denver’s Matt Paradis and Kansas City’s Mitch Morse) this week, according to sources.
Osemele is entering the fourth-year of his five-year deal signed with the Raiders in 2016. He’s scheduled to have a $10.2 million cap charge in 2019.
Osemele, who made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons with Oakland, played his first four seasons with the Ravens before landing a big payday in free agency a few years ago. He has 93 career starts, including 11 last season.
The Jets want to make sure to upgrade their line to protect their most valuable asset: Darnold.
