10 Impending Free Agents Who Would Be Perfect Fits for the New York Jets
The draft will only allow the New York Jets to address a few of their immediate roster deficiencies. The front office must take control of free agency, something former general manager John Idzik failed to do in the previous offseason.
The positive aspect of Idzik’s gaffe is the money he left behind for the next GM to shop like a kid with a gift card to a candy store.
According to New York Daily News reporter Seth Walder, Gang Green has all the green to fill the talent gaps and give this roster an extreme makeover.
"If the current cap, $133 million, remained flat, the Jets would enter the offseason about $46 million under the 2015 salary cap. Considering that it likely won't remain flat, they ought to have even more space, and could have an additional $10.5 million to play with if they cut Percy Harvin, and a few million more if they let go of Chris Johnson. Even though some money could be spent locking up Muhammad Wilkerson for the long term, the bottom line still remains: the Jets' general manager this offseason, whoever that may be, will have more than enough cash to re-shape the roster.
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The incoming GM will be able to lure free agents seeking a pay-off, but he cannot squander an opportunity to finally stack the Jets roster evenly on both sides of the ball.
Free agents may as well walk into Jets headquarters rubbing their fingers together like Johnny Manziel if money is the only selling point. The new GM must sell the idea he intends to build a winning team now.
More money cannot equal more waste.
Here are some impact players that should be on the Jets radar this offseason.
Orlando Franklin
1 of 10
Orlando Franklin could literally and figuratively become the Jets biggest target in free agency. There’s a trending focus on offensive lines across the NFL as pressure on quarterbacks from defensive linemen and critics continue to rise.
Could Geno Smith possibly become a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback behind a solid offensive line? It remains to be seen.
Franklin would dramatically help Gang Green in the trenches in both run and pass plays. The 315-pound guard has only allowed one sack this season, and former undrafted free agent C.J. Anderson looks untouchable.
New York is in desperate need of a solution at guard as Willie Colon tests the free-agent market.
James Carpenter
2 of 10
Franklin may not be ready to leave a good situation in Denver.
However, Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter will also become a free agent in the offseason.
Carpenter hasn’t allowed any sacks this season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Despite missing a few games this season, he is one of the reasons Russell Wilson is able to run downhill with a purpose. The Seahawks don’t have a well of talent at wide receiver, which places a lot of pressure on quarterback play and timing.
Carpenter has a past history of injuries, and he missed three games due to an ankle injury this year. Nonetheless, when on the field he makes a significant impact at the line of scrimmage.
Furthermore, Carpenter is coming off his best season in terms of availability and conditioning.
Torrey Smith
3 of 10
Torrey Smith took a backseat to Steve Smith Sr. this season when it comes to flash, but he quietly caught 11 touchdown passes.
Smith’s 11 touchdowns are the most he has accumulated in one season. It would be in the Baltimore Ravens' best interest to re-sign Smith, but the Jets have the cash to lure him away if he seeks more compensation.
He stretches the field with great speed and catches the deep ball with a lot more consistency than in his first three years. The Jets are in need of a deep threat receiver capable of separation, and Smith fits the mold.
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Eddie Royal
4 of 10
Eddie Royal was arguably Philip Rivers' most complete receiver this season. Similar to the Ravens' wide receiver Smith, Royal can create separation from defenders. He has quickness and downfield speed.
Opposite of Eric Decker, the Jets’ offense should look to challenge safeties deep to open more opportunities for rookie tight end Jace Amaro underneath.
The Chargers' six-year veteran had his best season as a wide receiver since his rookie year with the Broncos. He’s currently on the upswing.
Malcom Floyd, the continued excellence of Antonio Gates and the emergence of Keenan Allen in San Diego could push Royal to seek greener pastures as a featured receiver with more opportunities to shine.
Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb and Dez Bryant are all free agents to be, but it’s unrealistic to believe these players leave the likes of Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers or Tony Romo for a Jets team uncertain of its QB situation headed into 2015.
Colt McCoy
5 of 10
What good are Smith and Royal without an accurate QB?
Colt McCoy may not be able to throw deep 10 times a game, but he can deliver the ball with accuracy and allow speed receivers to do the rest with their elusiveness.
McCoy isn’t a popular talent outside of Washington, but he can certainly get the job done without turning the ball over at an alarming rate.
The five-year veteran’s best attribute is his composure. He doesn’t fold under pressure with the defense bearing down on him.
This season, McCoy completed 60 percent of his passes while under pressure.
If the Jets fail to fill a void at guard, whoever takes the reins under center will likely see a lot of pressure behind Brian Winters or Oday Aboushi, who is still learning the position.
Making plays in a crowded pocket outweighs the need to have a big arm in New York.
Mark Sanchez
6 of 10
Once beloved by Jets fans for leading an offense to consecutive AFC Championship Games, Mark Sanchez butt-fumbled his way out of New York.
His stint as the starting QB in Philadelphia proved he isn't an inept signal-caller. He simply had one forgettable season in New York.
Offensive guru Chip Kelly put the turnover-prone quarterback in the best situation to succeed. Though Sanchez was unable to lead the Eagles to the playoffs as the surrogate QB, he proved to be capable.
Sanchez had a 64.1 percent completion percentage in nine games. Yes, he threw 11 interceptions, but this isn’t the telling stat for a decent quarterback. One must consider the amount of plays Coach Kelly runs per game. More plays equal the increased probability of turnovers.
Accounting for the fast-paced style the Eagles play, Sanchez averaged approximately 34 passes per game, and at most, two throws were intercepted in four contests. Naysayers will point to interceptions, but his pass attempts to turnover ratio was decent this year.
Sanchez has the capabilities to lead the Jets back to the postseason behind a strong rushing attack, an offensive-minded head coach or high-end offensive coordinator.
Byron Maxwell
7 of 10
When playing alongside a larger personality like Richard Sherman, guys like Byron Maxwell get lost in the shuffle.
Maxwell has only allowed one touchdown in 12 starts this season. The fact some QBs choose not to throw in Sherman’s direction justifies how much action Maxwell garners per game. He sees the majority of passes on his side of the field and managed to hold down the fort with 12 passes defensed and two interceptions this season.
The fourth-year cornerback can be a solid piece to a strong defense in New York. At 26, he’s still a younger talent with room to develop into a premiere defensive back in the league.
Chris Culliver
8 of 10
The San Francisco 49ers failed to make the playoffs, but it wasn’t because of a porous pass defense. Chris Culliver was a major part of a top-five secondary in 2014.
After missing the 2013 season with a torn ACL, per CBSSports writer John Breech, Culliver established himself as a top-tier cornerback in 2014. Culliver was targeted 73 times in coverage, and only 37 of those passes were caught by a receiver. He intercepted four passes.
Currently, the Jets have young talent at cornerback, but Culliver’s season easily elevates him above Dee Milliner, Marcus Williams and Dexter McDougle.
Perrish Cox
9 of 10
Perrish Cox was the other half of the 49ers’ tough secondary. He accumulated five interceptions in the best season of his five-year career.
Cox and his partner Culliver stepped up in the starting lineup after the departure of former starters Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers.
Cox, like Culliver entered this season relatively unknown but made the most of his opportunity as starter.
Takeaways are what the Jets lacked this season. New York tied for the least amount of interceptions among NFL teams with six this season. San Francisco led the league with 23 interceptions. Cox and Culliver accounted for 40 percent of those turnovers.
Darrelle Revis
10 of 10
Sometimes a familiar face can take you to better places. Darrelle Revis doesn’t have the gaudy stats to prove his worth, with only two interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 2014. Yet, he’s still labeled a shutdown cornerback.
The mystique of “Revis Island” isn’t a myth.
The secondary was once New England’s Achilles heel. Now, with Revis and Brandon Browner it has become a strength.
When focusing on Revis’ contribution, opposing quarterbacks have a 72.6 QB rating when targeting Revis in coverage.
Beyond the field, he’d be a great example for Milliner, Williams, McDougle and any other cornerbacks on the roster.
According to ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini, Jets’ owner Woody Johnson claims he misspoke during his postseason press conference while fielding questions from the media.
"Johnson alluded to past acrimony with the Revis camp when asked why the Jets didn't pursue him last offseason.
I guess my experience with his agents, and that's all," Johnson said. "It would have been very hard."
It didn't take long for Johnson's eyebrow-raising comments to hit the Internet. Several hours later, he issued a mea culpa.
"I misspoke today when I commented on Darrelle Revis," Johnson said. "I would never interfere in the contractual relationship of a player with another team and should not have used those words."
Johnson said he called Kraft to "emphasize those points."
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Whether non-intentional or guilty of tampering, Johnson remembers the days when the Jets were one game away from the Super Bowl, when Revis was able to nearly limit opposing quarterbacks to half of the field with his stifling man-to-man coverage.
Johnson knows Revis still has the ability to be great—and it’s no secret the Patriots aren’t eager to ink lucrative deals with standout players.
According Boston Herald reporter Jeff Howe, Brady restructured his deal again in efforts to reel in more talent for seasons to come. On the other hand, the inflation on Revis' price tag may be too steep for the Patriots' preferences.
According to ESPN New York reporter Ian O’Connor, Revis referred to the Jets’ organization as “home”:
"This is where Johnson's appearance got downright frightening for Jets fans who weren't even born the most recent time their team won it all. Woody was all over the map when it came to his vision, if you can call it a vision, and on everything from the relevance of fan opinion to whether he'd hire a GM before a coach to the mind-boggling mistake in allowing Darrelle Revis to sign with the New England Patriots, of all teams, after Revis told the Jets he wanted to come home.
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Without cap space-cruncher Idzik, for the right price Revis can finally return home to the organization that drafted him in 2007.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference and Pro Football Focus.
Impending free-agent talent pool provided by spotrac.
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