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The New York Jets could reunite one free-agent defensive lineman with head coach Robert Saleh this offseason. Once free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 13, San Francisco 49ers lineman Javon Kinlaw will become available for the Jets to consider.

Jets: NFL analyst rationalizes Javon Kinlaw signing with Robert Saleh ties

Fox Sports AFC East reporter Henry McKenna raised a Kinlaw and Saleh pairing scenario in a recent article, saying in part:

“This is a bit of a shot in the dark. But maybe head coach Robert Saleh can pitch Kinlaw on a one-year deal that will improve his market,” McKenna posed.

Kinlaw played under Saleh in his rookie 2020 NFL season. The defensive tackle experienced his best year playing for the Jets’ shot-caller.

He started 12 of 14 games and returned an interception for a touchdown along with four defended passes, 1.5 sacks, and 33 tackles on the year. While he increased his game count in 2023 to all 17 in the 49ers’ slate, Kinlaw has yet to replicate his output despite notching a career-high 3.5 sacks.

How the dollars and cents would stack up for the Jets to sign Kinlaw

The Jets could invest in Kinlaw. He earned $2.7 million with a $2.2 million signing bonus with San Francisco last season.

The Jets have $20.7 million in available cap space. They could offer Kinlaw a lower-end one-year deal and ingratiate him into their depth chart behind Quinnen Williams and Quinton Jefferson.

As for what New York is in need of, they could use help at backup quarterback, wide receiver, and the offensive line. That doesn’t close the door on them adding a veteran presence as assurance for their D-Line at a reasonable price tag.

Will the 49ers Re-Sign Jon Feliciano?

Feliciano outperformed his contract, as opposed to Javon Hargrave, whom the 49ers paid almost $25 million for 7 sacks last season.

One of the 49ers’ best signings last year was Jon Feliciano. Should they bring him back?

They gave him a one-year, $3.25 million contract in 2023 to be a backup interior offensive lineman, but he eventually took the starting right guard job away from Spencer Burford and played reasonably well until he got injured in the Super Bowl. Which means Feliciano outperformed his contract, as opposed to Javon Hargrave, whom the 49ers paid almost $25 million for 7 sacks last season.

Feliciano is 32, so there probably isn’t a big market for him. The 49ers probably could give him another relatively affordable one-year deal if they want him back, and there’s something to be said for bringing all five starting offensive linemen back and creating continuity at that position.

But the 49ers offensive line isn’t good. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons they lost the Super Bowl. They should upgrade it this offseason, and right guard is the only position on the line that doesn’t have an entrenched starter.

Re-signing Feliciano wouldn’t upgrade the offensive line.

Feliciano was a fine one-year stop gap, but the 49ers can do better. Feliciano is only attractive to them because he’s cheap. But he’s cheap for a reason.

The 49ers don’t currently have the cap space to sign a guard who’s better than Feliciano, but they do have 11 draft picks, and they could spend one on a plug-and-play right guard. That would be a much better move than throwing more money at an aging journeyman.