As the Jets approach training camp, I examine the list and give you my top 25 players. Each day of the week, we will reveal another person on the list, leading directly to the camp. I don’t include recruits on this list because I don’t think it is possible to assess them completely before playing a game.
No. 18: George Fant
Ranking from last year: Not classified (not in the team)
Position: OT
Age on opening day: 28
How acquired: Signing of a $ 27.5 million three-year contract as an unrestricted free agent on April 23
Remaining years under contract: 3
2020 salary cap figure: $ 7.2 million
Back to 2019
Fant has played all 16 games for the Seahawks, starting seven. He has been used primarily as an additional offensive lineman / tight end, but has started three left tackle games in the regular season and one in the Wild Card round playoffs when starter Duane Brown was injured.
Fant has played 43% of the offensive shots from Seattle. He authorized two bags and 23 presses, according to PFF. The site ranked him as the 56th best tackle on 81 and the 65th for blocked passes on 79.
Outlook for 2020
The first day of the free agency negotiation period was calm for Jets fans, who were waiting to see who GM Joe Douglas was going to sign. Then came the news that the team had agreed to a deal with Fant. The reaction was largely, “Who?”
Fant is not a household name. He has not been a regular starter for the Seahawks since 2016 and did not top many lists of free media agents.
But the Jets hope to catch the 6 foot 6 inch and 322 pounds as it enters its peak. Fant didn’t have a traditional path to the NFL. He was a college basketball player in Western Kentucky and then played soccer in his last season there, playing tight. Seattle signed him on as an undrafted free agent and prompted him to tackle. Injury caused him to start 10 games as a rookie, but a torn ACL in the 2017 preseason cost him a chance to start this year. The Seahawks then acquired Brown, and Fant has been fighting for playtime ever since.
Fant is an athletic player who moves well in space, something the Jets say will translate well into Adam Gase’s system. The Jets believe he is ready to go and will thrive if given the opportunity.
Fant was originally scheduled to start in the tackle when the Jets signed it, but the selection of Mekhi Becton in the first round of the project changed this plan. Fant will likely compete with Chuma Edoga in the right tackle camp, with Becton getting the left tackle. The Jets can make Fant work on the left tackle of training camp if they want Becton to “win” the spot or if they don’t feel ready to start. Eventually, however, Becton will be there.
Although Fant’s contract seems important, he has no money guaranteed after this season. If not successful, the Jets can continue with little financial impact next year.
The Jets recently managed to recruit offensive linemen from the Seahawks. Breno Giacomini and James Carpenter both played pretty well for the Jets after leaving Seattle. Maybe Fant can be next.
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