Right tackle Austin Howard, a restricted free agent, received a second-round tender from the Jets, according to a league source.

The tender is worth $2.02 million for one year. If the Jets decline to match an offer sheet -- they have the right of first refusal -- they'd receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.

The Jets' other options were a first-round tender ($2.8 million) or the low tender ($1.32 million), the latter of which includes no draft-pick compensation. If they had opted for the low tender, the Jets would've invited a feeding frenzy.

Howard, a virtual unknown a year ago, won the right-tackle job in training camp and started every game, replacing the unpopular Wayne Hunter. The Jets signed Howard off the Ravens' practice squad in 2011. Interestingly, the Ravens could be in the market for a tackle and they hold the final pick in the second round.

Howard was originally an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa.