Despite missing the playoffs, the New York Jets still had a successful season. They won 10 games after winning just four in 2014, and the defense showed flashes of dominance. Unfortunately, the team is getting older on both sides of the ball and a youth movement is needed. There are several players whose play has declined in recent years, with a few of those guys being free agents in March.
Here are five players the Jets must move on from this offseason in order to get under the salary cap and improve in 2016.
1. Antonio Cromartie
For the most part, the experiment to completely overhaul the secondary worked for the Jets. Darrelle Revis is, well, Darrelle Revis. And he played that way in 2015, picking off five passes. His running mate, Cromartie, didn't have as much success. He started 15 games but didn't record a single interception -- the first time he's done that since his rookie year in 2006. Additionally, he struggled in coverage and was constantly targeted on deep routes by opposing quarterbacks. He's not the same player he was in 2014 with the Cardinals. Fortunately for the Jets, his contract is team-friendly and will actually save them $8 million by cutting him. It's time for New York to cut ties with the veteran after just one season in his second stint with the team.
2. Chris Ivory
Running backs aren't treated the way they were years ago. They don't get big, long-term contracts anymore, and that will likely be the case with Chris Ivory. Yes, he eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing but he clearly slowed down as the season wore on after starting off strong. It's the first time he's reached 1,000 yards on the ground in his career, and it's hard to predict he'll do the same in 2016. He's set to be a free agent -- as is Stevan Ridley and Bilal Powell -- but letting him walk would benefit the Jets. Holding the No. 20 pick in the draft, the Jets can conceivably replace him with a guy like Ezekiel Elliott or Derrick Henry -- albeit, the latter likely coming in the second or third round.
3. Jeff Cumberland
No position on the Jets was valued less than the tight end this season. Between Cumberland and Kellen Davis, tight ends had just eight catches this season. The Jets ran three-wide formations fairly often, essentially eliminating the use of a tight end on passing plays. Cutting Cumberland would save the Jets $1.9 million against the cap. Jace Amaro is expected to return after missing the entire season, and he figures to be a dynamic player at tight end. Using a draft pick on a young guy is also an option.
4. Jeremy Kerley
Kelley saw his role diminish greatly this season due to the emergence of Quincy Enunwa. Eric Decker played in the slot fairly often, which is Kerley's primary spot. He can be valuable on special teams as a punt returner, but not with a $3.1 million cap hit. The Jets have a group of wideouts that are very capable of replacing his role, mainly Devin Smith. Kerley wasn't happy about his decreased role this season and should look to get a fresh start elsewhere after making just 16 catches in 2015.
5. Calvin Pace
There's no doubt Pace is an older linebacker and isn't the same player he once was. That was evident this season as he was replaced in the starting lineup several times. He finished the year with just 22 tackles and three sacks and was relatively ineffective as a pass rusher. The Jets need to find a fast, explosive guy on the edge, likely to pair with Lorenzo Mauldin. Pace will be a free agent in March, and while he won't command top money on the open market, he's not worth bringing back for the Jets. They need to get younger on both sides of the ball, particularly at linebacker.
*All salary cap information comes from OverTheCap.com.
