Why DeSean Jackson to the N.Y. Jets Would Be a Key Offseason Acquisition

When the Philadelphia Eagles released receiver DeSean Jackson on Friday, the internet went ablaze with speculation over where he could sign next. And no team makes more sense than the New York Jets. 

Jackson is coming off of a career season collecting 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. At the age of 27, he's in the prime of his career, and with an average of over 1,000 yards per season over his six-year career, he should be a productive player wherever he ends up. 

And while any potential suitor would be crazy to ignore the reason Philadelphia released Jackson in the first place, there is no evidence implicating his direct involvement in gang activity. He also has avoided trouble with the law for the duration of his career, save one arrest in 2009, according to NJ.com:

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Jackson was arrested for possession of marijuana while driving, disturbing the peace and operating a car with materials that obstruct or reduce a driver’s view, according to court documents. The marijuana and illegally tinted windows charges were dropped as part of the plea deal and Jackson pleaded guilty to a disturbing the peace charge in April 2010.

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The Jets are a team who should seriously contemplate signing the big-play receiver. A combination of factors make New York a fitting destination, primarily that the team lacks a receiving threat outside of the recently signed Eric Decker. 

Jackson, known for his speed and explosiveness, would pair effectively with a possession receiver in 6'3" Decker. 

Player	REC	TAR	YDS	TD
Jeremy Kerley	43	72	523	3
Santonio Holmes	23	59	456	1
David Nelson	36	60	423	2
Jeff Cumberland	26	40	398	4
Kellen Winslow	31	47	388	2
Stephen Hill	24	59	342	1

Last season's leading receiver, Jeremy Kerley, is not a true No. 2 yet and belongs in the slot in three- and four-receiver sets. 

Consider also the Jets recently signed Michael Vick, who has history with Jackson, to compete with second-year quarterback Geno Smith, and you begin to see this move making more and more sense.

Despite this being delineated as a competition that will last throughout the offseason, Vick should win the starting job. 

This move would benefit both Vick and Jackson, whom had impressive chemistry in Philadelphia. Since Vick's career-reviving season in 2010, he has remained a respectable dual-threat quarterback when healthy and is a better option than Smith at this point. 

Michael Perez

Signing Jackson would also allow the team to shift its draft focus in the first round to shoring up the offensive line or adding a talented tight end like UNC's Eric Ebron. Both would be conducive to Smith's development going forward. 

It would also set up the Jets to win right now. An anemic offense has held the Jets back for years, as the defense is consistently one of the league's best. A combination of Vick, Decker and Jackson would not just be exciting to watch—it would put up points, despite some likely inconsistency. 

This would set up the Jets to compete with the Patriots in the AFC East and make them a wild-card favorite.

What is preventing a deal from getting done then?

Money should not stand in the way of a deal, as the Jets sit with a roomy $35.7 million in cap room, according to Spotrac. 

What could prevent it from getting done are qualms from general manager John Idzik that Jackson will be a negative influence in the locker room. 

However, after team owner Woody Johnson risked a tampering violation for prematurely stating the team's interest in Jackson, the Jets will not be ruled out of the running for the talented playmaker until they declare themselves out.