Five Guys: Receivers Who Should Be On The Jets Radar

The Jets' front office recites its content with the receiving corps, just like they said they were set under center only to swing a draft-day blockbuster trade and land a future face of the franchise in Mark Sanchez. 

Pundits have proclaimed the Jets lacking of a No. 1 receiver as their potential downfall.

While many of us pay little mind to their rants and raves, the fact of the matter is the Jets have a batch of amateur wideouts and are anointing their top receiver as a guy who isn't a pure No. 1. 

Jerricho Cotchery will try and prove us wrong. The personnel on both sides of the ball—including the offense with a high-caliber line and a pair of Pro Bowl running backs— will have the Jets poised for success this season. They shouldn't experiment, but go out and get guys they know can get the job done.

That in mind, Rex Ryan made a good point when he was hired that the gunslingers he inherited and whoever would suit up under center come September wouldn't have to be the solution, just part of it. That pertains to this wide-receiver dilemma as well and how Mike Tannenbaum plans to address it.

Regardless of what the management plans to do and what they feel is necessary, expect Tannenbaum to make a move before training camp so whoever they lasso in would have adequate time to digest the terminology. 

The Jets should take a long hard look at some of these guys:

The legal team of free agent Plaxico Burress is working in accordance with his desire to play football next season and avoid jail time after his nightclub incident. Burress is facing potential time behind bars after accidentally shooting himself with an unlicensed gun this past winter.

Burress would be a perfect fit for the Jets—bringing size, speed and a great pair of hands. He is a stellar receiver and would be a key cog in any lineup. His special talent could fall into the lap of the Jets, who are one of three teams interested in Plaxico.

John Clayton said the Jets are the "main team" in the Plaxico sweepstakes. 

In terms of baggage, Burress is neither a Terrell Owens nor a Pacman Jones, and it irks me as to how people stereotype Burress as a guy who would cripple chemistry. In fact, many of his influential Giants' teammates expressed their intent on having Burress back throughout the aftermath of his episode, saying his return could propel them back to the Super Bowl. 

Even guys in Florham Park, namely Jerricho Cotchery and veteran Alan Faneca, who played alongside Burress in Pittsburgh, would welcome having Burress around. 

Mike Tannenbaum, Rex Ryan, and Woody Johnson wouldn't shoot down the idea. In fact, they kind of did the opposite by uncharacteristically saying they'd wait and see and play it by ear.

Woody Johnson, when asked about the topic, seemed very open to the idea of having Burress around, as long as he'd help the team win. Apparently, the Jets are closely monitoring the situation. 

If Burress can weave his way out of trouble and avoid harsh discipline from the league, he could very well find himself playing football again in a Jets uniform. After having his court date delayed, things will begin to take shape exactly a week from now at his trial. 

Brandon Marshall is another star wide receiver entangled in a legal mess that comprises of a series of events, many involving a former girlfriend and the latest of which includes his fiancee. His court date was pushed to August, so he's clear sailing for the time being. 

The league will not suspend Marshall for his latest "domestic dispute," although he was suspended for last year's season opener due to the chain of issues with his former girlfriend.

Marshall now admits he made mistakes in the past. Mike Shanahan acknowledged that as well, but went on to note Marshall is a "good kid." 

Personal life and issues aside, Marshall has been a key contributor on the field and was a favorite target of former teammate Jay Cutler. 

Marshall put up big numbers last season, recording slightly more than 100 receptions and a whopping 1,265 yards.

While the Broncos were a pass happy team with a batch of battered-up backs and Cutler under center, Marshall wasn't the only receiver on the team. Cutler frequently went to other targets, like tight end Tony Scheffler and receivers Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley. 

The Broncos are trying to pull of a smooth transition to the 3-4 after relying heavily on Cutler, Marshall, and the offense last season.

The Jets do have plenty of linebackers. However, Rex Ryan shied away from dangling any of his defensive cornerstones like David Harris or Darrelle Revis, but a guy like Bryan Thomas could become expendable if Vernon Gholston steps up to the plate. 

Either way, the Jets have many young guns there, like Rutgers' Jamaal Westerman. Westerman has been turning heads and could have a future with the club. Ryan won't be afraid to throw Gholston fire after declaring he will be a major contributor. 

Financially, there shouldn't be any cap problems as the Jets will have enough to maybe even extend Marshall. Even then, an upgrade from his current modest salary would be much more of a bargain than signing Anquan Boldin, especially if Marshall continues to progress and blossoms into a superstar.

Marshall is rehabbing from an injury and training in Orlando, therefore not present in Dove Valley to get acclimated with the new regime and absorb the playbook, and is seeking a new contract with a year left on his current pact.

If and when the Jets extend Leon Washington, they should still have some room left to sign Marshall to a long-term deal should they acquire him.

All in all, while Marshall does have some things to sort out, he seems to be responding to it all very professionally like the "good kid" Shanahan dubbed him as. He is developing into a superstar and is lethal with the ball in his hands and out in the open getting downfield. 

Breezing through Boldin and Braylon Edwards: Boldin is tough as nails and will get yards after the catch rather than taking chances downfield. That could help if you have a rookie quarterback or Kellen Clemens, who's been around but hasn't played. 

Edwards was in fantastic form in 2007, but last season his success was scarred by hands of stone. He dropped many crucial passes as questions were raised about his focus and work ethic. Bring him to the spotlight in the Big Apple and I'm sure he'll do his best to deliver. 

Lastly, Amani Toomer is a low-key signing I think would be very low risk, high reward for the Jets.

The veteran, famous for his days piling up receptions as a Giant, would bring experience and production to a fountain of youth the Jets have for receivers.

Toomer is tough and his presence would alleviate pressure on Jerricho Cotchery. He would also come cheaper than Edwards, Boldin, etc. 

The Jets gush about their current group of receivers, but they're more likely than not to pull off some sort of transaction to improve in that department.

One of these five receivers could do the trick.