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. 24: Jonotthan Harrison
Last year’s ranking: Unranked
Position: C
Age on Opening Day: 28
How acquired: Signed a one-year, $850,000 contract as a free agent on March 28, 2017
Years left on contract: 2
2019 Salary Cap figure: $2.75 million
Looking back at 2018: Harrison played in all 16 games last year, starting eight. He took over for Spencer Long at center for the final seven games of the season after starting one game earlier in the season.
The offensive line played better down the stretch with Harrison at center. It is hard to determine how much of that was due to his play or other changes made along the line and improved play. One thing you could say was he was not a liability the way Long was when he was starting.
Pro Football Focus graded Harrison as the 30th best center in the league out of 38 they graded.
Outlook for 2019: The Jets re-signed Harrison to a two-year, $5 million deal just before free agency opened. Former general manager Mike Maccagnan felt that Harrison gave the team value at the position rather than spending big money on a free agent center.
That move is going to put Harrison under the microscope this season. At the moment, center is considered one of the weakest positions on the team because Harrison is unproven.
Harrison is better playing in space than when someone is lined up over him. He will struggle with big nose guards. Fortunately for him, he won’t see a straight 3-4 too often with the way the Jets will play offense this year.