Ranking New York Jets' Biggest Free-Agency Priorities
The New York Jets will enter free agency in dire need of depth and production, particularly in the secondary and offensive line. However, the free-agent market will also feature exceptional talents in positions the Jets shouldn’t ignore.
In some cases, Gang Green will make decisions on whether to re-sign aging veterans. The front office isn’t completely intact, but if the new general manager approaches the market aggressively, expect the average age on the roster to drop in hopes of increased production.
John Idzik has been fired, and the Jets have $38.65 million in cap space to allocate to player salaries this offseason.
Five positions in particular need an upgrade or an impact player to fill the woeful voids of the 2014 season.
5. Outside Linebacker
1 of 5
Calvin Pace has played seven solid seasons with the New York Jets. This season, he recorded five sacks as part of a well-coached front seven, courtesy of Rex Ryan.
However, the Jets front office should take the Bill Belichick route and cut a player one year too early rather than one year too late.
Pace will be 35 in the middle of the 2015 season. As he nears retirement, the Jets must find their next impact outside linebacker in free agency. Releasing Pace will only cost New York $125,000 in dead money owed in the final year of his contract.
Quinton Coples manages to disappear on the field in a handful of games each season. Gang Green is in need of consistency and youth to pair up with Coples.
Justin Houston, the NFL sack leader with 22 sacks, enters free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs are currently working with approximately $900,000 in cap room.
If the Chiefs are unable to clear enough space to re-sign Houston, the Jets should open the bankroll for his services.
4. Quarterback
2 of 5
The quarterback debacle in New York won’t be resolved in the offseason. The signal-callers on the market lack consistency or the capabilities to lead a franchise into the future.
This position is the most critical for New York, but it drops in priority with the best available free agents being the likes of Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez and Matt Moore—none of whom are franchise quarterbacks.
Michael Vick’s time in New York should be over. Nonetheless, Geno Smith needs competition to push his development.
Austin Davis is a low-end signing who should emerge as a viable alternative to the veteran QBs previously mentioned.
Before Jeff Fisher benched Davis in favor of Shaun Hill in Week 11, the 25-year-old QB threw 12 touchdown passes and nine interceptions with a 63.4 pass-completion percentage. That's not bad for a guy who struggled to see the field in his first two years in the league.
Davis isn’t a candidate to save the franchise, but in a small sample, he has shown the ability to play adequately on the professional level when given a shot. His innate confidence and pass accuracy could be enough to provide a solid stopgap before finding a franchise QB.
3. Wide Receiver
3 of 5
It would be a poor use of cash to retain the second-most costly player asset in Percy Harvin, who would average $10.707 million over the next four years if he remains a Jet.
The Jets extended Jeremy Kerley’s contract, but he lacks the consistency to be considered a viable No. 1 or No. 2 receiver. Gang Green won’t have the most talented QB starting Week 1 of 2015, barring a trade. So, it’ll be important to stock up on a talented group of receivers.
Opposite Eric Decker, the Jets need a versatile speed receiver to stretch the field and threaten opposing defensive backs deep down the field.
Don’t expect unrestricted free agent Greg Salas to fill that void.
The Jets have enough cash to entice Demaryius Thomas, if he looks at the big picture in Denver. Peyton Manning has two years left on his contract, and there’s speculation that his arm is rapidly declining.
The Denver Broncos have to make crucial decisions on unrestricted free agents Julius Thomas, Orlando Franklin, Rahim Moore and Terrance Knighton.
The Jets front office should emphasis its search to find a quarterback, who will get Thomas the ball frequently while showing him the cash. These are two aspects Denver may not be able to offer Thomas at an optimum rate.
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2. Guard
4 of 5
The Jets offensive line steadily deteriorated as the season progressed. D’Brickashaw Ferguson is on the decline. Brian Winters struggled before being placed on injured reserve, and Willie Colon struggled on his way to free agency.
The Jets must revamp the guard position, which natural tackle Oday Aboushi played the majority of the season. The Jets will need to spend heavily for a quality guard in the offseason.
As previously mentioned, Franklin of the Broncos will test the market. James Carpenter will also carry a hefty price tag for his services. Either player is worth the money with the state of the Jets' interior line protection.
Don’t expect Colon’s return in New York, even if the Jets fail to land Franklin or Carpenter. Outside of a high draft pick, Winters’ development will continue with Aboushi as a makeshift guard until further notice.
1. Cornerback
5 of 5
The Jets' cornerback issues were well-documented this season. Coach Ryan did his best to mix and match defensive backs to no avail.
The secondary didn’t surrender an absurd amount of yards but failed to create turnovers (six interceptions) and defend the red zone (allowing 25.1 points per game).
Unless New York uses its first pick to draft another cornerback, free agency should be the market to upgrade the position. Guys like Dee Milliner, Marcus Williams and Darrin Walls need an anchor in the secondary.
Dawan Landry was a solid tackler but nothing else. The Antonio Allen cornerback project failed miserably, and the long-awaited expiring contract of Kyle Wilson is now a reality.
Gang Green needs two impact players at this position to cover the bases. Injuries, AWOL situations and Dee Milliner’s learning curve must all be taken into account next season. The Jets have a wide variety of cornerbacks to entice with lucrative deals in the offseason.
Woody Johnson might have said too much at his postseason press conference, but it’s good to know he’s open to Darrelle Revis’ return. He should also be open to resetting the secondary three years backward, allowing Antonio Cromartie and Revis to lead the secondary.
Other than the two former Jets, the solid duo in San Francisco will also become unrestricted free agents. Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox both excelled as starters this season with a combined nine interceptions.
Finally, the forgotten Seattle Seahawks defensive back Byron Maxwell could also step into the Jets secondary and provide air-tight pass coverage.
Gang Green cannot afford to miss with all the talented cornerbacks on the market.
Once a promising young talent, Milliner has shown minimal upside in the NFL. His short career has been plagued by a multitude of injuries.
Entering his third year, he’ll likely work alongside a veteran. That veteran will become the anchor. Nonetheless, Milliner must step up and live up to the expectations of a top-10 draft pick.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Player contract details provided by Spotrac.com and OverTheCap.com.
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