While the Jets are considering bringing Robby Anderson back, there’s a good chance the Temple product will sign a lucrative contract elsewhere.
Anderson could definitely flourish as a No. 2 wide receiver, but he’s going want to be paid for more than that. The Jets might not have the financial flexibility to make that work.
Anderson has developed into one of the better deep-threat receivers in the NFL, but his growth as a player goes beyond that. He added more to his route tree under Adam Gase and seems closer to becoming a complete receiver. Still, the Jets haven’t been able to maintain much offensive success with Anderson in the fold.
Over the past two seasons, the Jets have dealt with a depleted wide receiver corps that has put Anderson and now Jamison Crowder at the forefront. With the team’s No. 1 priority being to surround Sam Darnold with a capable supporting cast, it could mean the Jets look at other options beyond Anderson to improve their offense.
With that being said, here are six wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency.
Amari Cooper
While Amari Cooper is fully expected to be transition tagged as the Cowboys try to work out a long-term deal with Dak Prescott, he could still hit the open market.
The former No. 4 overall pick would be perhaps the most sought after receiver in that case. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cooper has 357 career receptions for 5,097 yards and 33 touchdowns. Cooper will be just 26 years old in June and he’s coming off a season in which he caught 79 passes for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns.
Cooper is a No. 1 wide receiver and will be paid as such if Dallas allows him to become a free agent just a season and a half after acquiring him for a first-round pick. If that happens, he would be the perfect weapon for Darnold. Of course, he would also be a costly one for a Jets team that doesn’t have as much cap space as in years past.