The Jets began the run-up to this week’s free-agent frenzy by bolstering Sam Darnold’s enforcers up-front by trading for Raiders guard Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele, who is due to make $10.2 million and $11.7 million over the final two years of his contract, will replace James Carpenter.
He is a two-time Pro Bowler who turns 30 in June and is coming off a subpar season. His 97.6 pass-blocking efficiency from Pro Football Focus was his lowest figure since 2013.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden, only a day after breaking the bank for Antonio Brown, was asked about Osemele’s 2018 season at the NFL Scouting Combine: “Up and down a little bit, but he’s a starting left guard in the NFL, and there aren’t many guys around.