3 New York Jets' Players in Line for New Deal Before Start of 2015 Season

The New York Jets have had one of the most productive offseasons in franchise history. 

The team hired a new head coach and general manager in Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, respectively, along with a slew of other front-office personnel. 

From there, all it did was trade for Brandon Marshall and Zac Stacy, sign Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine to pricey contracts in free agency and draft top overall prospect Leonard Williams in the first round. 

However, there is still work left to be done, specifically when it comes to the contracts of several key players. Gang Green doesn't have a ton of money left to work with after its ambitious offseason spending, per Over the Cap, but it would still be in the team's best interest to sort out a couple of deals before the season starts.

Muhammad Wilkerson

Wilkerson's contract situation is becoming a saga and an unwanted distraction for New York. 

Wilkerson is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract after New York exercised his fifth-year option last year, and he is making it clear that he doesn't want 2015 to be a contract year. 

The former first-round selection has held out of organized team activities to date, and there aren't any signs that the two sides are progressing in contract talks, per Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. 

The situation has intensified in recent weeks after New York selected USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams in the draft, as the 20-year-old could make Wilkerson expendable if the situation doesn't resolve quickly.

With mandatory minicamp just a few weeks away, the Jets have to make some progress in negotiations with the Temple product, as his absence would leave a gaping hole on the team's defense.

Wilkerson has been one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league in recent years. He has put up 118 tackles and 16 sacks in 29 games in the last two years, as he has been a dominant force against both the passing and running games. 

The 25-year-old may be far away from the Jets in contract talks at the moment, but there is still a decent chance the two sides reach a deal before the opening game against the Cleveland Browns.

Demario Davis

James Kenney/Associated Press

There has been significantly less buzz about Davis' contract situation this offseason, but the former third-round selection has just one year left on his rookie deal before he is set for free agency. 

Davis isn't an elite playmaker like Wilkerson, but he is still a critical component on New York's defense. Along with David Harris, he has formed one of the strongest inside linebacker duos in the league in the last couple of seasons. 

The Arkansas State product is undersized, but he is a speedy, athletic presence who can make plays all over the field. He has easily topped 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons, while also recording 4.5 sacks and six pass deflections. 

The 26-year-old won't be looking for a huge deal, so it may work in Gang Green's favor to ink him to an extension this offseason as opposed to 2016, as his value could easily increase with another solid year. 

Don't be surprised if Mike Maccagnan and Co. make Davis a part of their long-term plans before Week 1 rolls around.

Antonio Allen

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Allen won't even start this year, as Gang Green brought in former San Diego Charger Marcus Gilchrist to man the other safety spot opposite 2014 first-round pick Calvin Pryor. 

In fact, Allen hasn't been a consistent force like Wilkerson and Davis, and he may not even be a part of the team's long-term plans. 

However, the South Carolina product is worth keeping around on a low-cost extension, as he has the ability to be a solid contributor in the next few seasons. 

As sad as it is to say, Allen was one of New York's best defensive backs a year ago. He split time between safety and cornerback, and that kind of versatility certainly adds to his value. 

The former seventh-round selection has good size for his position, and he has shown an ability to cover bigger receiving targets over the middle of the field. 

Allen has little to no chance of emerging as a long-term starter in the NFL, but he provides a big, physical presence to the depth chart. 

There would be no harm in inking him to an extension this offseason.