New York Jets' Top Free-Agency Targets at Cornerback

If new general manager Mike Maccagnan wants to get started on the right foot, he needs to make the big splashes in free agency his predecessor shied away from, starting with the cornerback position. 

Even if Dee Milliner returns to play up to his potential as a top-10 pick, the New York Jets still have a need for a starting outside and slot cornerback. 

This year's class of cornerbacks is somewhat limited compared to past years, which could force the Jets to settle for more older, short-term solutions. Nonetheless, the Jets need to make some big-time additions this spring if they want to avoid another disaster in 2015. 

Here are the Jets' top free-agency options at cornerback. 

5. Tramon Williams

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With the last image of Tramon Williams from the 2014 season letting Jermain Kearse score the winning touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game over his head, Williams' stock is at a bit of a low point.

Still, while getting up in years (31 years old), Williams is a massive upgrade over anything the Jets have at the position, at least in the short term. Williams would be a perfect fit in Todd Bowles' heavy man-coverage scheme.

The Jets would have to be mindful of how much money to give Williams simply because of his age and general decline in his pay, but with so few long-term options available, Williams would be among the best short-term solutions the Jets can find at the position. 

4. Kareem Jackson

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After a rather underwhelming entrance to the NFL, Kareem Jackson has developed into a quality starting cornerback for the Houston Texans. He was the 11th-ranked cornerback on Pro Football Focus' rankings. 

Jackson does not just make sense for the Jets because of his on-field ability to cover receivers. General manager Mike Maccagnan was a member of the Texans' scouting department when Jackson was drafted in the first round in 2010 and has watched his development since. 

We don't know for sure whether or not Maccagnan was on board with the pick—he very well may have disliked him as a prospect and the Texans took him anyway. However, if there is anyone who knows whether or not Jackson would be a quality free-agent signing as a long-term solution at cornerback, its Maccagnan. 

3. Antonio Cromartie

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A return of Antonio Cromartie seems like it makes too much sense to actually happen. After declining to bring him back after an injury-plauged 2013 season, Cromartie experienced a career rebirth under then-defensive coordinator Tood Bowles for the Arizona Cardinals. 

With Bowles now calling the shots in New York, Cromartie, who has publicly expressed his affinity for Bowles, seems like a natural candidate to give the Jets a quick fix at the position. 

"

Would Cromartie return 2 Jets & play 4 Bowles? "I really don’t even know what’s going on with my future. I loved playing 4 him this past yr"

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) January 14, 2015"

The soon-to-be 31 year old does not offer the same upside as a younger, more expensive player, but given the Jets' massive need at the position, bringing in an experienced player like Cromartie will help stop the bleeding while they find a more long-term solution. 

2. Byron Maxwell

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The least-known member of the Seattle Seahawks' "Legion of Boom", Maxwell is still a quality player in his own right with a skill set that will make him a quality starter for a long time. 

A sixth-round pick from the 2011 draft, Seahawks GM John Schneider has already made retaining Maxwell a top priority—an indication of his underrated value to the Seahawks defense. 

As Rotoworld's Evan Silva points out, Maxwell can play both on the outside and in the slot—two positions where the Jets need brand-new starters immediately. 

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Impending #Seahawks FA Byron Maxwell is 6'0/202 with vines for arms and can play both slot CB & outside. He's gonna get paid this offseason.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) January 25, 2015"

As Silva also points out, Maxwell is not going to be a bargain buy. Tall, lanky, versatile cornerbacks are all the rage in the modern NFL, and Maxwell fits the bill perfectly. However, if there is anyone who has the cap space and need for a player like Maxwell, its the Jets. 

1. Darrelle Revis

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While the return of Darrelle Revis in the post-Rex Ryan era would be one of the most ironic stories in franchise history, there is no denying that the former Jet would instantly solve the team's needs at cornerback. 

Now over two years removed from his ACL tear in 2012, Revis is back to his old form, shutting down opposing wide receivers with ease. It's no coincidence that the New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl after adding him to their roster. 

For the Jets however, giving him his desired annual salary that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the league is just one part of the equation. Convincing him to return after such an ugly divorce two offseasons ago is an even more tricky process, but owner Woody Johnson appears to be open to such a concept. 

"

Jets owner Woody Johnson: "I'd love for Darrelle to come back." http://t.co/WdnyBvYBlR

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 29, 2014"

If the Jets can find a way to convince Revis to make a second tour of New York finding a way to fit him in their enormous salary-cap space is the easy part. His return would make the Jets' secondary problems a thing of the past. 

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