NFL Free Agents 2011: Jets Must Not Let Santonio Holmes Become Newest 'Jetskin'

The Washington Redskins have a knack for stealing away New York Jets receivers with big money offers, and Santonio Holmes could be the next to join the list.

Holmes, a five-year veteran and former Super Bowl MVP, is currently the No. 2 free agent on the market behind cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders.

Holmes was traded to the Jets last year with a suspension in tow and New York only signed him to a one-year deal at the time. But when he finally made it onto the field, he made himself the Jets' most important player, something they cannot overlook.

The Jets have other free agent concerns including cornerback Antonio Cromartie and wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith, but this franchise needs to recognize what this free agency period means for them: helping their franchise quarterback.

Sanchez is entering his third season as a pro. He has had a good bit of success early on, but needs New York to provide him with stability at the wide receiver position, or he could suffer tremendously.

For instance, and while it is definitely a different situation, fellow New York starter Eli Manning has had a number of different starting wide receivers during his career. Plaxico Burress joined Amani Toomer in Eli's first full season as a starter and they won a Super Bowl two years later.

Burress only played nine games the following season, the Giants essentially forced Toomer into retirement and have since sported a combination of starting wide receivers that includes Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon and Derek Hagan.

In that time, since Burress' last season with the Giants, Eli's interception total rose from 10, to 14, to 25 last season, and the Giants missed the playoffs in each of the last two years.

Needless to say, the Jets cannot go down this road with Sanchez. Holmes has become his safety blanket, his top target and their biggest playmaker; without him there is no telling what becomes of the young quarterback.

Fortunately, the Redskins don't have anything to offer Holmes other than money. They have no guaranteed starting quarterback, they could easily be one of the worst teams in the league and they have a limited number of playmakers place around him.

Remember, when Holmes joined Pittsburgh he went to a team with a great running game, a Super Bowl winning quarterback and one of the best all-around receivers in the last decade, Hines Ward, opposite him.

In New York he had a ground-and-pound running attack, a developing tight end and two proven NFL receivers, most notably Braylon Edwards, drawing attention as well.

Washington offers none of this, only money.

If the Jets want to have any shot at getting back to the AFC Championship Game for the third time in as many years, and help their quarterback reach his full potential, they must not let Holmes get away. 

Cromartie and Edwards are nice players, but Holmes is a crucial part to their future success.

You can follow    Wes O'Donnell on Twitter.