The New York Jets made notable offseason changes at guard. Starting left guard John Simpson left in free agency and was replaced by free-agent signing Dylan Parham. Joe Tippmann should return as the starter on the right side.
The future of the position remains in flux. Parham is just on a two-year contract worth a modest $8 million per season. Tippmann is scheduled to enter a make-or-break contract year, assuming the Jets don’t sign him to an extension at training camp this offseason.
The Jets also drafted former Miami guard Anez Cooper in the sixth round. He’s a physically impressive prospect. Cooper is a near 6-foot-6, 334-pound blocker with 34-inch arms and 10-inch hands. He certainly passed the eye check for Darren Mougey, Aaron Glenn, and Frank Reich.
Cooper is an incredibly tough and physical blocker. The Pleasant Grove, Alabama native is violent on tape. Cooper is also a highly experienced and mature prospect, having made 46 career starts for the Hurricanes, including 16 in the program’s run to the National Championship Game this past season.
All of Cooper’s starts came at right guard. It’s interesting that’s where Tippmann plays. The Jets should keep Tippmann, who is flexible enough to play multiple positions. Cooper will probably cross-train at left guard, where Parham is a temporary solution.
Cooper possesses the physically overwhelming traits to develop into an eventual starter.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: New York Jets may have developmental RG in rookie Anez Cooper
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