5 more veterans Jets should cut if they're going all-in on tanking

The cat is out of the bag. The New York Jets are going to be bad this season.

By getting rid of veterans David Harris and Eric Decker on Tuesday, the Jets made it clear that winning games isn't much of a priority this season - which is fine. Tanking is a reasonable option when your team already has little to no chance of success, but if you're going to do it, go all out.

To free up cap space, to give their current veterans a chance to compete for a winning team, and to get their youth more playing time, the Jets should continue slicing down their roster and let these five players go.

Matt Forte, RB

Age: 31 | 2017 Cap Hit: $5M | Dead Cap Hit: $6M

Forte was recruited to the Jets a year ago by Brandon Marshall - who is now gone - and he's likely regretted the decision ever since.

The 31-year-old left Chicago in hopes of joining a championship team, and the Jets are anything but. Plus, management already seems more keen on using Bilal Powell as the starting running back.

Though New York would not gain cap space by cutting Forte, it seems like the courteous thing to do for a running back who's given his body to the league for nine years, after already saving money on Harris and Decker.

James Carpenter, OL

Age: 28 | 2017 Cap Hit: $6.8M | Dead Cap Hit: $4.2M

Carpenter has been good, but not great throughout his entire career, and he just looks to be in the way this season.

The Jets could slot 2014 draft pick Dakota Dozier or 2016 pick Brandon Shell into Carpenter's spot, and while there may be a learning curve, either player could impact the outcome of a game as much as the veteran - at a fraction of the price.

Marcus Williams, CB

Age: 26 | 2017 Cap Hit: $2.746M | Dead Cap Hit: 0

With Morris Claiborne signed in free agency, Williams will be pushed down the cornerback depth chart and into the competition mix with a handful of younger, cheaper defenders.

As he carries no dead cap money and costs the team just short of $3 million this year, cutting Williams would be an easy way to clear some funds and give unproven players a chance to earn their worth.

Wesley Johnson, C

Age: 26 | 2017 Cap Hit: $2.746M | Dead Cap Hit: 0

In the exact same cap situation as Williams, Johnson doesn't have much leverage to stay put as the starting center.

Rated as the 33rd best center last year by Pro Football Focus, Johnson can easily be replaced by free-agent signee Jonotthan Harrison for a lesser salary.

Bruce Carter, LB

Age: 29 | 2017 Cap Hit: $695K | Dead Cap Hit: $80K

If the Jets don't have room for Harris, they shouldn't have a spot for Carter, either.

The inconsistent former second-round pick was barely used by the Jets last season and has proven to be a questionable backup throughout his six seasons. Clearing out his contract - for the sake of giving more playing time to someone who might develop into a usable talent - would be a move met with little resistance from anyone but Carter.