East Notes: Jets, Wilkerson, Garoppolo, Giants

Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC East:

• After inking a new multi-year deal with the Jets, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson says that he’ll be ready for the Jets’ season opener against the Bengals on September 11th, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes. “Rehab is going well,” he said. “I’m running four times a week and just taking it day by day. I’m focusing on my leg and rehabbing each and every day. When the coaches feel it is time for me to get out there on the field and I am ready to go, I will be out there.” On Friday, Wilkerson shocked everyone when he inked a five-year deal worth $86MM, good for a $17.2MM AAV. The deal also calls for $54MM to go to the defensive lineman over the next three years.
• When Jimmy Garoppolo lines up under center for the Patriots in September, rival teams will be keeping an eye on him as a possible trade target, as Albert Breer of The MMQB writes. Not much is known about Tom Brady‘s fill-in just yet, but evaluators are optimistic about what they might see. “He’s looked sharp when he’s had the opportunity,” said one NFC personnel exec who got a long look at him. “I also really liked him during the draft, so some of that was ‘leftover’ evaluation. … Strong arm, quick arm, accurate, can move in the pocket, mobile, all the things you like to see in a young developmental QB.”
• Will the Giants sign a veteran safety? Given that no safety currently on the roster has more than three years of NFL experience, it could make some sense for the Giants, NJ.com’s James Kratch writes. However, Kratch doesn’t feel that available veterans like Bacarri Rambo, Donte Whitner, or Antrel Rolle would necessarily bring much more to the table. Rolle is on record as saying that he would like to return to the Giants. Whitner, ranked as the league’s No. 24 safety among 89 qualifiers in 2015 by Pro Football Focus, would make sense for a number of teams. Safety James Ihedigbo is also on the open market and waiting for the right opportunity.