The best players set to hit free agency in any given year typically never make it to the open market.

Whether it be due to a contract extension or the franchise tag, cream of the crop talent seldom make it to free agency in today’s NFL. This hurts teams like the Jets who are trying to plug numerous holes and rebuild on the fly.

New York has already been burned by potential top free agent targets being taken off the board due to the franchise tag. Who are those targets? Let’s take a look at what could have been for the Jets if these players were available for the taking on the open market.

Matthew Judon

There is no better time to land an edge rusher when he is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Thrust into a full-time starting gig with the Ravens in 2019, Judon performed well enough to establish himself as one of football’s upper echelon pass rushers.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they will not get the chance to convince him to join former teammate C.J. Mosley in the Big Apple. Judon was hit with the franchise tag on Friday, ensuring his stay in Baltimore for at least one more season.