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According to Pro Football Talk among other sources, the New York Jets are expected to release its veteran center, Nick Mangold after an 11 year tenure with the team.
Per multiple sources, the release of Jets C Nick Mangold is coming. Only remaining issue is timing -- today or in the next few days.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 25, 2017
The Jets had wanted to negotiate a pay cut for Mangold, but in the end, the Jets will release him to free up $9.1 million in cap space.
Over his eleven year career, Mangold has not only been one of the most reliable centers, starting 164 of 176 games, but he has also arguably been the best center in the NFL over that span.
Nick Mangold's Position Ranks Since 2006: 4th, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 6th, 21st, 1st, 18th, 25th. Most dominant center of PFF era. #Jets
— John Gatta (@PFF_JohnGatta) February 25, 2017
In addition, according to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, Mangold has not allowed a sack in his last 33 games.
The Ravens are in need of a new center, as Jeremy Zuttah was far from great in the 2016-17 season. Many mock drafts, whether from Baltimore Beatdown or elsewhere, have had the Ravens selecting a center in the early to mid rounds. However, now the Ravens have a chance to add a center through free agency that can immediately replace Zuttah. Mangold is exactly that center. He will come at a low cost, and provide not only high skill, but high experience to the interior of the Ravens offensive line.
Bringing in Mangold would be a very stereotypical Ozzie Newsome move, as adding veterans at positions of need has been one of Newsome’s strong abilities. Adding a veteran of Mangold’s caliber could immediately boost the level of play on the offensive side of the ball, as the Ravens make a push to return to the playoffs.