Wayne

Hunter

A once-promising third-round pick by Seattle, Hunter was let go last week following off-field problems. He could serve initially as Jacksonville’s fifth tackle.

“The offensive line is something we’ll continue to monitor over the next few weeks, as we will at all positions,” Tannenbaum said. “When we get through the draft, we’ll evaluate the depth chart.” The Jets didn’t draft any first- or second-day competition for Hunter, so the odds are rapidly increasing he’ll return as the starter. Bills LE Mario Williams should be licking his chops.

“We expect Wayne back,” said Tannenbaum. “We expect him to be our starter.” The Jets already guaranteed Hunter’s full $2.45 million base salary, so there’s no doubt he’ll return as a member of the 53-man roster. It seems like the Jets are having a lot of trouble admitting this mistake. Hunter was arguably the worst 16-game starter in football last season, regardless of position.

The Post thinks the Jets will trade “lower level players” in order to gain some flexibility during the draft. Wayne Hunter is currently penciled in as the team’s starting right tackle, but Vladimir Ducasse is waiting in the wings. Due $2.45 million in 2012, the 30-year-old Hunter is a trade/release candidate.

Incumbent Wayne Hunter was a nightmare last season, allowing a team-high 8.5 sacks while committing a club-most 11 penalties. Ducasse has even been more of a headache when on the field, if that’s possible. If the Jets don’t add a tackle in the draft or free agency, they’ll have to decide between the lesser of two evils in Ducasse and Hunter at right tackle.

The Jets talked trade with at least one NFC team, but failed to agree on terms. Although there is belief in the organization that Hunter could improve under the helpful arm of new coordinator Tony Sparano, shopping him around the league speaks volumes. Hunter was a major liability in pass protection last season.

Ryan left the door open for a camp competition with Vladimir Ducasse, but the Jets sound ready to go with a player who got routinely dominated in 2011 if they can’t find an upgrade in the draft. It’s bad news for Mark Sanchez, and excellent news for the left defensive ends of the AFC East. (Hello, Mario Williams.)

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has mostly backed Wayne Hunter, but Sparano is smartly keeping his options open. Hunter was one of the worst starting linemen in football last season. In-house alternatives to Hunter include Austin Howard, Dennis Landolt, and former second-round bust Vladimir Ducasse.

Hunter’s woes were emblematic of the entire offensive line. The Jets’ pass protection fell from one sack every 19.8 dropbacks to one every 14.7 in 2011. Jets runners averaged 3.8 YPC this season versus 4.4 in 2010. After averaging 148.4 yards per game on the ground in 2010, they only hit that mark twice in 2011.

The Jets seemed to protect themselves in Hunter’s 2011 contract by writing in a loophole to get out of the deal if they released him on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of this week. It never happened. Hunter, 30, was a media whipping boy in his first season as a starter, and for good reason. Pro Football Focus graded Hunter as the fifth-worst offensive tackle in football. Considering his salary, Hunter figures to return as a starter in 2012.