2012 NFL Free Agents: 5 Wide Receivers New York Jets Should Target

For the past couple of seasons, the New York Jets front office has been trying to find the right wide receiving core for their young quarterback Mark Sanchez.

They have Santonio Holmes locked up to a long-term deal and a solid receiving tight end in Dustin Keller, but there are still holes that need to be filled at the position.

The Jets need a receiver that can help spread the field and help them move the ball.

Here is a look at some of the possible wide receivers who could join Gang Green next season.

Reggie Wayne

The Indianapolis Colts are going to have to make the most difficult decision they have had to make since moving to Indy from Baltimore: Keep Peyton Manning. Or let him go in favor of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

If they decide to stick with Manning and have Luck learn under him, they will most likely re-sign wide receiver Reggie Wayne. However, don't expect to see number 87 in a Colts uniform in 2012 if the front office decides to trade or release the future hall of fame quarterback.

With the return of Plaxico Burress to New York unlikely, the Jets could go after Wayne. He would provide the team with veteran leadership in the locker room.

Wayne may have seemed to have an off year last year, but that was most likely because of the quarterback situation. With a healthy Peyton Manning throwing him the ball in 2010, Wayne had 1,355 receiving yards.

Besides, a veteran receiver who is not coming off of a jail sentence might be helpful for Mark Sanchez. 

Marques Colston or Robert Meachem

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are in the process of trying to work out a new deal. The clubs' financial situation after the that deal will most likely leave them unable to sign both Robert Meachem and Marques Colston. Both are quality receivers that the Jets should  look to acquire should either one become available.

Colston is the better of the two and will demand more money. Since entering the league in 2006, the wide out has averaged 1040 yards and eight touchdowns a season. He has had a few injuries, however, including a broken collarbone this season, but that should be a cause for concern.  Colston is all that his six feet four inch 225 pound frame would suggest.  Add his good speed to that list, and he and Santonio Holmes would compliment each other nicely in the Big Apple.

While Robert Meachem has had a smaller role than Colston with the Saints, he has still been able to produce. Meachem's speed would help the Jets move the ball down the field, and It would be interesting to see how Meachem would respond to a bigger role if the Jets acquire him. An interesting option to say the least.

Mario Manningham

It is clear that Victor Cruz has emerged as the Giants number one or two receiver alongside Hakeem Nicks, so Mario Manningham might be able to find a better deal  and a bigger role from a team other than the Giants.

One option could be staying in New York and signing with the Jets. Manningham is only 25 years old and would bring much needed speed and depth to the Jets.

Over the past three seasons, Manningham has averaged 763 receiving yards and six touchdowns a season.

If the Jets do add the former Michigan standout and another receiving tight end to an offense that already features Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller and Jeremy Kerley, it will help spread the field for Sanchez and open up opportunities.

Braylon Edwards

It is crucial for the development of a young quarterback to have a strong relationship and consistency with his receiving corps.

Mark Sanchez had neither of those this past season, which could explain his struggles this year. In a run heavy offense like New York's, Braylon Edwards still managed to gain over 900 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Just when it seemed as if Edwards was turning his career around after a mediocre stint with the Cleveland Browns, the Jets decided to let him go in favor of Plaxico Burress. 

Bringing Braylon Edwards back to New York would give the Jets a deep threat and a red zone threat that was missing in 2011.

Laurent Robinson

Like Mario Manningham and the New York Giants, Laurent Robinson is the third option at wide receiver on his current team, the Dallas Cowboys.

But Robinson showed in his 2011 campaign, however, that he may be capable of being a number two or even a number one receiver.

While Dallas was dealing with injuries at the wide receiver position, someone had to pick up the slack for the Cowboys.  That guy was Laurent Robinson, ending the 2011 season with 858 receiving yards and eleven touchdowns.

The Jets could bring Robinson on board to be their number two option behind Santonio Holmes.

He is a reliable, sure-handed target that was solid in the red zone for the Cowboys last season.