The Jets signed another receiver on Thursday. It’s just not the TikTok-loving one many expected.
Former Jaguars wideout Keelan Cole is headed to the Jets, sources confirmed, on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. The specifics of the contract aren’t yet known and won’t be until the deal is submitted into the NFLPA’s database. When that happens, be sure to check here for a complete breakdown of the contract.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the Cole addition.
How he fits: Cole spent the past four years with the Jaguars, with whom he originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky Wesleyan. The receiver, who turns 28 next month, caught 42 passes for 748 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. Last year, he set career highs in receptions (55) and touchdowns (five), and his 642 yards were the second-most in his career. Cole also returned nine punts for 140 yards and a touchdown (91 yards) and had three kickoff returns for 80 yards.
Cole has decent size for a receiver (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) and really good speed — he plays much faster than his 4.59 pro day 40 indicates. What separates Cole from others is his hands. They’re “great,” one former teammate said. “If the ball is in his vicinity, he’ll always have a chance.” Cole also has experience playing all over the field. In 2017 and 2018, Cole played mostly outside (1,103 snaps to 396 in slot). That flipped from 2019 through 2020 (705 in slot compared with 436 outside).
According to ESPN, Cole has 75 catches for 918 yards and eight touchdowns out of the slot and 83 catches for 1,306 yards and four touchdowns split wide in his career.
“He’s a good player,” an executive told The Athletic. “He plays fast and sudden. Value inside or outside. It’s a good signing for them.”
2021 impact: The Jets need weapons for whoever lines up under center this year. Cole is another. He shouldn’t push the top three (Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder) for playing time, but his versatility and athleticism mark a stark improvement over Lawrence Cager, Josh Malone, Vyncint Smith, Jeff Smith and some of the others near the bottom of the depth chart.
“You’re probably OK if he’s your No. 2 receiver,” a league source familiar with Cole’s ability said. “If he’s your No. 3 or No. 4? You’re better.”
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The one thing to watch is how Cole’s arrival affects Crowder’s status. The 27-year-old can play only in the slot and is set to count $11.375 million against the salary cap — third on the team behind the newly signed Carl Lawson and Davis. The Jets can free $10.375 million of that with his release. Douglas and company don’t need the cap space right now, but if they believe they’re a better team with Cole, they could make a move.
Crowder was part of the Jets’ massive 2019 spending spree. He has 137 catches for 1,532 yards and 12 touchdowns in 28 games with the team.
Draft impact: Cole is the second starting-caliber receiver signed by the Jets this offseason, joining Davis. That probably rules them out of drafting one in the first or second rounds. The Jets have significant holes at cornerback and guard. Unlike receiver, free agency wasn’t very deep at those positions. Douglas will likely use his early draft capital to solidify those spots before turning back to wide receiver in the middle rounds.
Cap update: The Jets had just over $33 million in salary-cap space before the Cole and Dan Feeney signings. Neither of those deals should take a massive chunk out of that. Contract specifics aren’t yet known.
2021 team outlook: Davis, Mims, Crowder and Cole are the Jets’ top four receivers right now. That’s a legitimate improvement from last year. The Jets have also had discussions with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s camp over the past couple of days, although it’s unclear if that represents due diligence or work toward a deal.
If it’s more than just chats, Cole’s signing doesn’t impact a Smith-Schuster pursuit. Signing the former Steeler would undoubtedly end Crowder’s time with the Jets, though. Unlike Cole, who has the ability to play inside and out, Smith-Schuster is like Crowder: strictly a slot receiver.
(Photo: Douglas DeFelice / USA Today)
