As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 8: D’Brickashaw Ferguson
Last year’s ranking: 2
Position: Left tackle
Age: 30
How acquired: Selected in the first round of the 2006 Draft
Years left on contract: 4
2014 salary cap figure: $11.7 million
Looking back at 2013: It was an uncharacteristically bad year for Ferguson, who has been a rock on the offensive line for the Jets since they took him with the fourth overall pick in 2006.
It may have been adjusting to playing with someone new beside him or it may have been the inexperience of Vlad Ducasse and Brian Winters, who both started at left guard, that led to some of Ferguson’s struggles.
Whatever it was, Ferguson did not look like himself. He allowed eight sacks and 31 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
Away from the field, Ferguson did become more of a leader. Teammates said Ferguson became more vocal in the meeting rooms. He and Nick Mangold are now the longest-tenured Jets. The team has gotten much younger in the last two years, and leadership from Ferguson is needed.
Outlook for 2014: One thing about Ferguson: You can always count on him being in there. He not only never has missed a game, he never has missed a SNAP as a professional. That is remarkable durability for anyone in the NFL, especially for an offensive lineman.
So, the Jets know Ferguson will be there every down, but what will they get from him in 2014? I think last year was an aberration and not a sign of decline in Ferguson. I would expect him to bounce back.
Ferguson has the highest salary cap figure on the team at $11.7 million. After a few restructurings to help the team gain salary cap space in 2012 and ’13, the bill is now coming due for the Jets. Ferguson’s cap numbers are huge for the next four years. If Ferguson’s play slips, the Jets might have to consider releasing him before the 2016 season, when they could save $9 million in cap space by cutting him.
That is a long way off, though. For now, Ferguson is still a key piece of the Jets offense.