New York Jets: 5 Players the Jets Need to Try Hard to Get

The New York Jets have put themselves on the map recently but have yet to win their second Super Bowl. After back-to-back AFC Championship games in Rex Ryan's first two seasons, they failed to even make the playoffs last season. 

The Jets have started making changes and more changes are likely to come.

Here's a look at five players the Jets should seriously consider trying to bring in, as they try to win a Super Bowl.

Mario Williams

If Mario Williams becomes available, Rex Ryan needs to be at his front door the second he does.

Mario Williams is a special player who can play both defensive line and linebacker position.

It would be amazing to see what Ryan could do with Williams on his defense. Williams averages 10.3 sacks per season and is entering his prime.

Robert Mathis

Since the Jets run a 3-4 defense, they only have three defensive lineman.

One of the issues they have had was that those defensive lineman have not been able to get to the quarterback. 

The Jets need a true pass-rusher. Robert Mathis has 83.5 total sacks and 39 forced fumbles in his career. His season average is 9.8 sacks and 4.6 forced fumbles.

Mathis is 31 years old so he is on the back nine but still has plenty left in the tank. The Jets should try and swoop him up in free agency and finally fill that hole in their defense.

Osi Umenyora

Another defensive end the Jets should have on their radar is Osi Umenyiora.

The Jets would not have to look very far, and all Umenyiora would have to do is throw on a green uniform instead of a blue.

Umenyiora is clearly unhappy with his current contract, and things might get ugly between him and the G-Men. The Jets should try and acquire him if this happens.

There is a risk because he has been injury-prone lately. However his performance in the playoffs last season showed how impressive he can be. 

Umenyiora averages around 9.7 sacks a season and 4.2 forced fumbles.

Peyton Hillis

With Tony Sparano as their new offensive coordinator, the Jets will once again become a ground-and-pound team. However with the inevitable departure of LaDainian Tomlinson, the Jets could use another running back. 

Shonn Greene has emerged as a solid running back and is entering his prime years. One flaw in his game is his lack of ability to catch passes. Having a sure-handed running back is important for Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense.

Peyton Hillis would give the Jets a running back with excellent receiving abilities. As for the rushing attack, Hillis and Greene would be a powerful two-headed monster that wears down defenses.

Hillis is the guy that I want the Jets to get more than anyone because I would like to see how their offense would benefit from him.

Braylon Edwards

Before you disregard this idea, here me out.

Braylon Edwards was drafted as the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. He had a breakout season in 2007 with over 1,200 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. That shows that he is capable of being a top receiver.

In his first and only full season with the Jets, Edwards caught seven touchdowns and had 904 yards receiving. This was in a run-heavy offense with a sophomore quarterback. What he brought to the Jets offense was a solid red zone and deep-ball threat.

The Jets struggled to move the ball down the field. Mark Sanchez struggled to have a strong connection with his wide receivers. Edwards and Sanchez have a relationship that could be reconnected if he is brought back to the Jets.