#Jets are giving an expensive second chance to Avery Williamson

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“#Jets are giving an expensive second chance to Avery Williamson”

July 6, 2020 | 9:30am | Updated July 6, 2020 | 9:53am

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving 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. 15: Avery Williamson

Last year’s ranking: 11

Position: ILB

Age on Opening Day: 28

How acquired: Signed to a three-year, $22.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent on March 18, 2018.

Years left on contract: 1

2020 Salary Cap figure: $8.5 million

Looking back at 2019

Williamson’s 2019 season ended before it ever got started. He tore the ACL in his right knee during a preseason game in Atlanta and missed the entire season.

Williamson’s injury occurred on a fluke play against the Falcons when he was the only Jets starter in the game. Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell collided with Williamson’s knee as he tried to make a play on the ball in the end zone.

The Jets had hoped Williamson would team with C.J. Mosley to give them a strong inside linebacking corps. Instead, Williamson missed the entire season and Mosley only appeared in two games.

In Williamson’s first season with the Jets in 2018 he led the team with 120 tackles. He also had three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Outlook for 2020

Williamson’s role with this year’s team is tough to figure out. If you had asked me in January, I would have expected Williamson to be a cap casualty since the Jets owed him no more guaranteed money and his cap figure was so high. But he remains on the roster and the Jets are past the point of needing cap savings.

The major question is how healthy Williamson is. The ACL injury occurred 11 months ago, so he could be ready during training camp. My guess is the Jets will take it slow and ease him in, but I expect him to be ready some time in August.

Once the Jets figure out if Williamson is healthy, they must decide whether he remains the starting inside linebacker next to Mosley. The injuries at the position last year led to opportunities for Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman and James Burgess that they all took advantage of. The Jets also signed Patrick Onwuasor from the Ravens as a free agent.

The Jets could decide to move on from Williamson at the end of training camp if they feel like one of the cheaper options is better. But it won’t be shocking if Williamson impresses the coaches and GM Joe Douglas and sticks around. He was a very important player for the 2018 Jets and if he can recapture that form, it will be tough to send him packing.

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