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NFL rumors: New York Jets interested in Dont’a Hightower

By Brad Berreman

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) reacts after a tackle in the third quarter during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) reacts after a tackle in the third quarter during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports /
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They seem to be headed for a rebuild, but the New York Jets reportedly have interest in free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

After a bad 2016 season, the New York Jets have made moves early this offseason that point toward a roster rebuild. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold were the most notable veterans cut, and with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith hitting free agency the Jets have a big question mark at quarterback right now.

Free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower has remained available longer than expected, and the New England Patriots are known to be interested in re-signing him. The Tennessee Titans have also been rumored to be in the mix, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini has now reported the Jets are interested in Hightower. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports previously suggested the Jets were “leading the pack” alongside the Patriots when it comes to signing Hightower.

Any interest from the Jets in Hightower makes little sense in the big picture, particularly if he wants to surpass Luke Kuechly as the NFL’s highest-paid inside linebacker. That likely asking price has surely kept the Patriots from bring him back to this point, and one of New York’s best remaining veterans is linebacker David Harris. Hightower (27) is younger than Harris (33) though, and is probably an upgrade at this point in their respective careers.

Harris notably survived the Jets’ first roster purge, probably because he’s entering the final year of his contract. Hightower presents an opportunity to add a future building block, and a leader for a rebuild that Harris is simply not in line to be.

Next: 2017 NFL free agency: Top 10 signings

Any time the Patriots want to unload a player, or are slow to re-sign someone, the other 31 teams around the league have to ask a collective “why?” Hightower looks like this year’s test case, and someone is in line to overpay for him when it’s all said and done.

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