5 Free Agents the New York Jets Should Avoid This Offseason

The New York Jets have plenty of money and plenty of needs as free agency approaches. 

The Jets have well over $40 million to spend this offseason, according to Spotrac. And that number could increase if the team chooses to let go of Percy Harvin and Chris Johnson. 

Gang Green is free to spend freely in order to upgrade its roster, but it cannot afford to make mistakes in free agency. 

New York should only show interest in players who will have a sizable impact for the next few seasons without taking up a huge amount of cap space. 

Click through to see five free agents the Jets should avoid this offseason. 

Mark Sanchez

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There is a good chance New York misses out on Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston in the draft, meaning Geno Smith would remain the team's likely starter heading into 2015. 

If that is indeed the case, the Jets will probably want to bring in some competition for Smith in free agency. 

Mark Sanchez sounds like a decent fit on paper. He has big-game experience, a powerful arm and is coming off the best year of his career in Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia. 

However, the history between Sanchez and the Jets cannot be ignored, and a reunion would seemingly do more bad than good. 

Sanchez probably doesn't even have any interest in New York after his sour departure from the Big Apple, but the feeling should be mutual. The Jets should look to someone else to compete with Smith—perhaps Ryan Mallett or Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Wes Welker

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The Jets will almost undoubtedly be looking to upgrade their receiving corps this offseason, especially if Percy Harvin is released. There are plenty of capable and worthwhile options in free agency, but Wes Welker shouldn't be considered among them. 

Welker wasn't the same player in Denver that he was in New England, as he struggled to make an impact in the Broncos' loaded offense. 

He has lost some of his explosiveness, dropped several big passes and struggled with a couple of nagging injuries in the last couple of seasons. 

Welker won't be costly, but there are plenty of better and younger options in the same kind of price range. 

Ndamukong Suh

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Ndamukong Suh is the best available free agent in this year's class. 

Suh is the second-best defensive lineman in all of football, as he has made four Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro teams in his first five years in the league. 

He is very interested in coming to New York, according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN. However, Suh and the Jets are just not a good fit. 

Not only will the Nebraska product require a record-setting contract, but he would join Gang Green's strongest positional unit. The Jets already have Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison up front. 

To put it simply, New York has no need for Suh. 

Gang Green needs to focus on upgrading its weaker areas through a series of contracts, not one record-setting deal. 

Justin Houston

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Justin Houston is in the same boat as Suh. 

Houston is an amazing player, having made three consecutive Pro Bowls and recorded an AFC-record 22 sacks in 2014. 

However, the Kansas City Chiefs star is a luxury that New York cannot afford. 

Houston will get a massive contract if he hits the open market, as the NFL continues to value pass-rushers more and more. The Jets have the money, but they have more needs to fill than just an edge pass-rusher. The team would be smart to sign a cheaper alternative at outside linebacker, such as Jason Worilds or Brian Orakpo, and use the money saved to upgrade other positional needs. 

Byron Maxwell

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New York is in desperate need of some solid cornerbacks after a horrendous showing from its cover men a year ago. Luckily for Gang Green, there are plenty of capable cornerbacks available in free agency. 

Byron Maxwell is considered to be among the best defensive backs available. He is coming off a superb season in which he allowed just one touchdown and emerged as a crucial component of the Legion of Boom. 

However, he may not be worth the price tag. 

The Clemson product almost certainly benefited from playing in Seattle's loaded secondary, so there are questions about whether he can continue to perform well in a new defense. 

The Jets should instead choose to go after safer options, such as the Texans' Kareem Jackson and former Jet Antonio Cromartie.