Jets Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for New York

With a ton of cap space on hand and a slew of roster holes to fill, there is no excuse for the New York Jets not to be big players in free agency this year. 

New general manager Mike Maccagnan will be expected not to repeat his predecessor's mistakes and to spend the money necessary to get the Jets back into the competitive realm. 

While the Jets should spend big this spring, they must do so responsibly in order to avoid bad contracts. Getting good value at every turn (without getting too thrifty to compete for quality players) is the key for long-term success. 

Here are some contract estimates for some potential free-agent targets for the Jets. 

Demaryius Thomas

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Demaryius Thomas is one of the most dangerous outside threats in the NFL. The only way the Jets are even going to get a chance to make an offer to Thomas is if the Denver Broncos choose not to franchise tag or extend him. 

However, after Denver cleaned out the coaching staff—and since Peyton Manning's future is up in the air— Thomas may hit the free-agent market after all. 

He won't be cheap—he will most certainly get top-of-the-market money, something close to Calvin Johnson's $16 million per year. But if any team has the cash on hand to pony up such a contract (and such a massive need at wide receiver), it's the Jets. 

With Thomas and his old teammate Eric Decker, the Jets would instantly have one of the best wide receiving corps in football. 

Contract Estimate: Six years, $93 million ($45 million guaranteed)

Antonio Cromartie

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After a resurgent year under Todd Bowles in 2014 with the Arizona Cardinals, Antonio Cromartie could return to his old stomping ground at MetLife Stadium to help fill the Jets' massive need for a second cornerback. 

A nagging hip injury in 2013 removed any interest in the Jets bringing him back for 2014, but Cromartie appears to at least be close to his old self after playing out a "prove-it" one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Cardinals. 

While a year older, he deserves at least some more security under the same annual percentage yield. Cromartie's stock is not as high as it was when he was a free agent in 2011, but he will have plenty of suitors now that he appears to be back to his capable, productive self. 

The Jets will have a slight advantage over competing teams, since Cromartie has a clear affinity for Bowles and always enjoyed his time as a Jet—but counting on a hometown discount would be wishful thinking. With his extensive injury history, guaranteed money totals will determine where he plays in 2015. 

Contract Estimate: Two years, $7 million ($4 million guaranteed)

Tramon Williams

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Unlike Cromartie, Tramon Williams does not carry an extensive injury history that will make teams nervous about giving him a long-term extension. 

While he has been one of the better cornerbacks in the game over the past four seasons, Williams is already 31 years old, carrying the "over 30" stigma that will limit his net worth on the open market. 

The Jets could use Williams' man-coverage skills opposite Dee Milliner, but they need to be careful not to throw too much money at a 31-year-old veteran whose skills will inevitably decline over the next few years. 

A front-loaded contract that gives the Jets an early exit if Williams' performance goes south in a hurry would be ideal. 

Contract Estimate: Three years, $18 million ($6 million guaranteed)

Orlando Franklin

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One of the best guards in football at the ripe age of 27, Orlando Franklin has put himself in a position to make a ton of money this March. 

If any team has the perfect formula to give Franklin a massive contract, it's the Jets: Not only do they have a ton of cap space on hand, but they could potentially have two open guard spots next year. Veteran Willie Colon is a free agent, while neither Oday Aboushi nor Brian Winters has asserted himself as a reliable starter.

Franklin is not quite the caliber of player as someone like Jahri Evans or Marshal Yanda, but he could easily fetch a deal worth a shade under their massive numbers.  

Contract Estimate: Five years, $34 million ($20 million guaranteed)

Jason Worilds

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The Jets have two outside linebackers under contract for 2015, but with both Quinton Coples and Calvin Pace headed for free agency in 2016, it is never too early to consider and upgrade, especially considering Pace's age of 34. 

After playing this season on a one-year tender, Jason Worilds put together a solid 7.5-sack season as he hits the open market. A well-rounded, natural 3-4 outside linebacker, he would be a perfect fit in Todd Bowles' base 3-4 scheme. 

Worilds does not have the sack numbers to compete with contracts given to Clay Matthews or Tamba Hali. In fact, he will likely get a pay cut from his 2014 tender number ($9.75 million), but he will finally get the long-term security that players covet, as teams are more than willing to sign 26-year-olds with no signs of regression in sight to long deals. 

Contract Estimate: Six years, $50 million ($35 million guaranteed)