Report: Jets' Contingency Plan Includes Defensive Tackle Fairley
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets may look decidedly different by the end of the week.
They appear to be prepared for anything.
Facing the possibility of losing run-stopping monster Damon Harrison in free agency, the Jets have set their sights on veteran defensive tackle Nick Fairley as his replacement, the Daily News reported Monday night.
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The Jets have only $6.5 million in salary cap space to work with, but that number is expected to go up, assuming they release a few more players and restructure a few contracts. General manager Mike Maccagnan can create significant financial flexibility by trading Muhammad Wilkerson. The star end was assigned the non-exclusive franchise tag last week and will carry a $15.7 million cap hit in 2016 if the Jets decide to keep him.
Veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie was released last month, saving $8 million.
Harrison has become perhaps the league's best defensive lineman against the run. His stock rose dramatically during the 2015 season, as he finished with a career-high 72 tackles. He is expected to command up to $7 million per season on the open market.
Fairley, while not Harrison, would be a suitable replacement and come a lot cheaper. The former No. 13 overall pick of the Detroit Lions in 2011 spent last season with the St. Louis Rams, recording 29 tackles in 15 games.
The 6-foot-4, 308-pounder had his best seasons in 2012 and '13, registering 5.5 and 6 sacks, respectively, before a knee injury limited him to just eight games in 2014.
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