NFL

This is a make-or-break year for Jets’ Kelvin Beachum

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 22: Kelvin Beachum

Last year’s ranking: 11

Position: LT

Age: 29

How acquired: Signed as a free agent to a three-year, $24 million contract on March 10, 2017

Years left on contract: 2

2018 Salary Cap figure: $9.5 million

Looking back at 2017: Beachum joined the Jets last year after a disappointing season with the Jaguars. There were questions about his surgically repaired knee, but he was fully healthy and missed just one snap the entire season.

Beachum’s play was up and down. He was a strong pass blocker, allowing just four sacks all season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was not as strong in the run game. The Jets’ offensive line as a whole was a disappointment in 2017, and Beachum was part of that. The Jets fired offensive line coach Steve Marshall after the season because the group took a step back.

PFF had Beachum ranked as its 35th best tackle. He was 71st in run blocking and 18th in pass blocking. He allowed 21 quarterback hurries.

Beachum was called for four holding penalties.

Beachum did emerge as one of the locker room’s leaders, particularly on the national anthem issue. Beachum is involved with the Players Coalition and was one of the point men for the Jets in the talks with the league and NFL owners.

Outlook for 2018: Beachum is the second left tackle the Jets have acquired in hopes of replacing longtime standout D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Beachum played much better than Ryan Clady did in 2016, but still was not convincing that he is a long-term solution for the position.

Beachum will be the starter again this year, and there is really no one on the roster who could even challenge for the job. Ben Ijalana is the only other player who has experience at left tackle.

This is a big year for Beachum. The Jets could cut him after this season and save $8 million in cap space. If he is unimpressive, that would be an easy decision.