Jets' Top Players to Avoid in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The New York Jets must make sure that Aaron Rodgers stays upright in the pocket in 2024.

The Jets' offensive line was a disaster in 2023, and even if Rodgers was healthy, he may have struggled in between the tackles.

Robert Saleh's team is expected to lose both starting offensive tackles in free agency, so he and general manager Joe Douglas need to find the right options to sign.

New York needs to swing big at one of the top free-agent offensive tackles, which means the lower-tier free agents with some question marks may be on their list of players to avoid.

The Jets could use some depth at some of the offensive skill positions as well. A backup for Rodgers may be needed if Zach Wilson leaves and a wide receiver to support Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard is required to keep up with the depth across the AFC.

George Fant

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: George Fant #77 of the Houston Texans takes the field prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Jets probably are not bringing George Fant back to their offensive line.

Fant, who played with the Jets from 2020-22, started 16 games for the Houston Texans in 2023 and is one of the better tackles on the free-agent market.

The Jets need one of the best pass blockers in the free-agent class and Fant earned a 60.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Tyron Smith, Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu all had pass-blocking grades over 75 and should be far more coveted than Fant.

The Jets need the best offensive tackles possible to keep an aging and coming-off-injury Rodgers upright so they can have a shot at success in 2024.

Donovan Smith

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DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 29: Donovan Smith #79 of the Kansas City Chiefs lines up during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Donovan Smith would be a good pickup for the Jets if they can't land any of the top offensive tackles in free agency.

Smith carries the second-worst pass-blocking grade among Pro Football Focus' top nine free-agent offensive tackles.

Smith has plenty of championship experience blocking for Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, but that may not intrigue the Jets because of their urgent need to sign the top pass blockers.

The Jets should list Smith on their second tier of offensive line targets and only circle back to him when the top lineman sign elsewhere.

Marquise Brown

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 17: Marquise Brown #2 of the Arizona Cardinals runs a route during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Some team is going to hand out a large contract to Marquise Brown because he is two years removed from a 1,000-yard season.

The Jets should not be that team.

Brown's production dipped in the last two seasons. He only caught 51 of his 101 targets for 574 yards in 2023.

Brown's receiving-yard total dropped from 1,008 in 2021 to 709 in 2022 to 574 in 2023.

The Jets can't afford to take a big-money swing on Brown because of the dip in numbers, even if they believe Rodgers could help him succeed.

There are more reliable wide receivers, like Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Curtis Samuel, who the Jets should chase in free agency.