- By Josh Clark
- jclark@profootballtechs.com
Marcedes Lewis to Jets?
With the New York Jets’ tight end room already stocked with two veterans and 2022 prospect Jeremy Ruckert heading into year two, adding a nearly 39-year-old Mercedes Lewis might seem like money wasted.
But the 18-year pro brings something else to the table (aside from, potentially, Aaron Rodgers himself).
Pro Football Focus’ 2022 grades back Lewis’ reputation as an elite blocker again last season, putting him among the game’s best in both metrics.
In run blocking, he ranked 5th among all tight ends with a 66.6 grade.
His pass-blocking grade was 72.9. 12th among approximately 70 qualified tight ends
For context. C.J. Uzomah, a solid run blocker, rated 50th in the pass blocking category in 2022.
And Lewis knows new OC Nathaniel Hackett’s system well, playing twice for the coordinator — both in Green Bay and Jacksonville.
Replacing a developing pro like Kenny Yeboah (the team’s 4th tight end) with a 39 year-old pro might seem like a fool’s errand. But for the right price, it might check off boxes that aren’t just on Aaron Rodger’s wish list — but the Jets as well.