Tag: Jets Free Agency

The top 10 free agents that should be on Jets’ wish list

The Jets will have ample opportunities to upgrade their roster in free agency. 10 players who should be at the top of their wish list:

The franchise tag deadline took some of the Jets’ top potential free-agent targets off the market, but there will still be plenty of talent available for the taking when free agency begins next week.

From the secondary to wide receiver and tight end, the Jets are littered with holes that need to be filled. Having a hefty supply of salary cap space to work with will allow Joe Douglas to address those needs however he sees fit. Douglas has maintained a preference to build through the draft, but free agency is the time for him to knock out New York’s most pressing needs before turning his full attention to the pre-draft process.

Here are the top 10 free agents the Jets should be interested in with the feeding frenzy set to begin.

10 Jets free agents who fit Jeff Ulbrich’s defense

The Jets are in need of widespread upgrades on defense. Here are 10 free agents who could fit in Jeff Ulbrich’s defense:

Scheme fit always plays a key role in the way a team shapes its free agent big board. Coaches seldom try to fit square pegs into round holes, making a player’s skill set and system fit paramount to the way free agency plays out.

Jeff Ulbrich’s defense is in need of widespread upgrades after it allowed the most points in the NFL in 2021. The Jets struggled to defend the pass and weren’t much better against the run. Fortunately for New York, there are plenty of players set to hit the open market who can fix those problems.

Here are 10 free agents who could fit in Ulbrich’s scheme.

7 backup quarterbacks the Jets could target in free agency

The Jets will need a new backup quarterback if Joe Flacco and Mike White aren’t back in 2022. Seven potential signal-caller targets:

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Zach Wilson is Gang Green’s hopeful franchise quarterback of the future. He endured his fair share of ups and downs as a rookie, but showed key signs of progress in the final month of the regular season.

He also missed time with an injury that left the Jets to turn to their backups.

Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson and Mike White all saw time while Wilson was on the shelf with an ankle injury. Johnson finished 2021 with the Ravens, while Flacco and White are set to hit free agency — White as an exclusive rights free agent. That leaves the Jets needing to fill the No. 2 spot on their quarterback depth chart.

Here are seven signal-callers New York could target to serve as Wilson’s backup in 2022.

7 running backs Jets should avoid in free agency

The Jets should avoid these seven free agent running backs when trying to find a right-hand man for Michael Carter.

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Gang Green is set for the future with Michael Carter at running back. The fourth-round pick led the team in scrimmage yards as a rookie despite missing time with an ankle injury and is a perfect fit in Mike LaFleur’s offense.

Carter can’t do it alone out of the backfield, though. Ty Johnson looked like he was going to be a sufficient No. 2, but he struggled in 2021 and was at times a healthy scratch. Tevin Coleman was decent as a complementary back, but the Jets could use a bit more explosiveness when Carter’s not on the field.

After looking at some rushers who could interest the Jets, here are seven free agent running backs they should stay away from when looking for Carter’s right-hand man.

7 running backs the Jets could target in free agency

The Jets could target these seven running backs to form a one-two punch with Michael Carter.

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Gang Green is set for the future with Michael Carter at running back. The fourth-round pick led the team in scrimmage yards as a rookie despite missing time with an ankle injury and is a perfect fit in Mike LaFleur’s offense.

Carter can’t do it alone out of the backfield, though. Ty Johnson looked like he was going to be a sufficient No. 2, but he struggled in 2021 and was at times a healthy scratch. Tevin Coleman was decent as a complementary back, but the Jets could use a bit more explosiveness when Carter’s not on the field.

Here are seven free agent running backs who could fit what New York is looking for. Keep in mind that Douglas likely won’t break the bank at the position. These are the running backs who could come in and work as Carter’s right-hand man at the right price.

6 defensive tackles the Jets should avoid in free agency

The Jets should steer clear of these six defensive tackles in the event they have to replace Foley Fatukasi.

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Gang Green is in good shape on the defensive line with Quinnen Williams continuing to get better, John Franklin-Myers locked up on a contract extension and Carl Lawson returning from a ruptured Achilles. Who will line up next to Williams at defensive tackle in 2022 remains to be seen, though, as Foley Fatukasi is a free agent and Sheldon Rankins could wind up a salary cap casualty. Even if he sticks around, Rankins is best served as a rotational piece at this point in his career.

The Jets would like to keep Fatukasi, but there’s a real chance he signs elsewhere. Here are six defensive tackles Douglas shouldn’t have in mind in the event he has to replace him.

7 cornerbacks the Jets should avoid in free agency

The Jets should avoid these seven cornerbacks once free agency begins in March.

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Cornerback seems to be a point of emphasis for the Jets almost every offseason. Bryce Hall took a step forward in his development in 2021 and New York might have something in the rookie duo of Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols. Reinforcements are still needed in order for Jeff Ulbrich to take his secondary to the next level, though.

This year’s market of free agent cornerbacks is deep once again. There are also some set to hit the open market who do not fit the Jets defense. Here are seven corners Douglas shouldn’t entertain once free agency begins.

Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with DE Tim Ward?

The Jets claimed Tim Ward off waivers before the beginning of last season in an effort to bolster their pass rush. Should he return in 2022?

Before Joe Douglas can focus on external targets, he has a handful of impending in-house free agents to evaluate.

The Jets have more than a few players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some won’t factor into New York’s plans for 2022, while others, it’s safe to assume, the Jets would like to keep around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do to put together a competitive roster for Robert Saleh’s second year at the helm.

The Jets claimed Tim Ward off waivers before the beginning of last season in an effort to bolster their pass rush. Should the exclusive rights free agent return in 2022? Jets Wire evaluates the situation in its latest free agent profile.

Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with S Will Parks?

The Jets claimed Will Parks off waivers in December in an effort to bolster their ailing secondary. Should he be back in 2022?

Before Joe Douglas can focus on external targets, he has a handful of impending in-house free agents to evaluate.

The Jets have more than a few players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some won’t factor into New York’s plans for 2022, while others, it’s safe to assume, the Jets would like to keep around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do to put together a competitive roster for Robert Saleh’s second year at the helm.

New York claimed Will Parks off waivers in December in an effort to bolster its ailing secondary. Should he be back as depth again in 2022? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

8 wide receivers the Jets should avoid in free agency

There are plenty of talented wide receivers in this year’s free agent class. There are also X who the Jets should avoid at all costs.

Important decisions lie ahead for Joe Douglas with free agency looming.

The Jets made some progress in 2021, but Robert Saleh still needs more talent to work with. New York enters the offseason with holes on both sides of the ball and free agency is the perfect time to address some of them.

Gang Green needs to upgrade the wide receiver room. The Jets added Corey Davis in free agency and drafted Elijah Moore last offseason, but New York still needs a true No. 1 wideout to complement the two. There are plenty of free agents who can fill that role.

There are also plenty of receivers the Jets should avoid targeting. Here are eight Douglas should steer clear of once free agency begins.