Santonio Holmes To Re-Sign with New York Jets: A Look at Remaining Team Needs

As long as there is labor uncertainty surrounding the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement, no free agents can re-sign with their previous team or sign elsewhere.

Players can, and are, apparently negotiating with their previous teams in a "wink-wink" type agreement for signing a new contract after the signing of a new CBA.

One such player is New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Speaking to fans on Facebook yesterday, Holmes said, "Trust me, as soon as I sign back with the Jets, everything will be taken care of."

With the re-signing of Holmes in New York, the Jets can turn their focus to free agents Brad Smith, Antonio Cromartie and Braylon Edwards. They can also narrow their focus for which positions to target in the 2011 NFL draft.

1. Outside Linebacker

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Jason Taylor #99 of the New York Jets reacts after sacking Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as Calvin Pace #97 of the New York Jets looks on during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23,

The Jets decided to cut Jason Taylor before the end of the league year on March 3rd in a salary cap move. This leaves New York with very, very little at outside linebacker and with no clear-cut edge rusher.

The first round of the 2011 NFL draft will be loaded with outside linebacker candidates, but with pick No. 30 overall, the Jets may not be able to secure a top-tier pass rusher like Von Miller (Texas A&M) or Robert Quinn (North Carolina).

Round 1. They may also get lucky and find Missouri's Aldon Smith still on the board.

2. Defensive End

Al Bello/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is sacked by Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

Shaun Ellis may have dominated the New England Patriots and Tom Brady during the 2010 playoffs, but he is also a 34-year-old free agent who many expect to leave New York.

In the Jets' 3-4 system, they ask their defensive ends to get upfield more than your traditional 3-4 teams. As such they must add five-technique players who can push the tackle, anchor against the run and work around the edge to generate pressure. These players are not easy to find.

A few players for the Jets to consider in round one would be Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) or Cameron Heyward (Ohio State). Even Corey Liuget (Illinois) is making a name for himself as a late first-round guy.

Here are two names to remember come draft weekend: Marvin Austin (North Carolina) and Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple). Both are perfect fits for the Jets and could be available when the Jets are on the board.

3. Wide Receiver

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Marti

Even with the recent news that the Jets will be able to re-sign Santonio Holmes, the team still has impending needs with Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith entering free agency.

No one expects the team to be able to retain all three, with Smith the most likely to leave.

Should Smith be the one to go, the Jets will not have to reach for a wide receiver, but they will need to replace his contributions on special teams and in the slot. One player available in Round 2 who fits this bill perfectly is Titus Young of Boise State. Without a second-round, pick the Jets would have to trade up or down to secure his rights.

Should the Jets wait until pick No. 94 in the third round, they would have to consider players like Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) and Terrence Tolliver (LSU).

4. Cornerback

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass over Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cornerback could quickly become the Jets' No. 1 need if Antonio Cromartie is not re-signed.

We rank it here at No. 4 because there is right now a 50/50 chance he will not be back in 2011.

Combined with the fact that 2010 first-rounder Kyle Wilson is nowhere near ready to start and the Jets may need to reach for a cornerback in Round 1.

The Jets could also be players in free agency should Cromartie decide to leave. They were rumored to be interested in Nnamdi Asomugha before the league year ended.

5. Right Tackle

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Damien Woody #67 of the New York Jets in action against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

At press time the New York Jets have one offensive tackle on their roster. Yes, one.

The release of Damien Woody surprised many for the above reason, but also because he had been a solid player down the stretch. Replacing Woody will be a priority for the offseason needs of the Jets.

The NFL draft is oddly stacked at offensive tackle this year, but do not expect the Jets to use a first-round pick on the position. With no second-round selection due to the trade for Antonio Cromartie, the Jets will focus on tackle in Rounds 3-5, or even in free agency.

A few names to remember as the Jets look for a right tackle in the middle rounds of the draft are Joseph Barksdale (LSU), Marcus Gilbert (Florida) and James Brewer (Indiana).

6. Running Back

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Pho

LaDainian Tomlinson was a difference maker in the beginning weeks of the season, but faded as the season got longer. His age and lack of production are concerns in New York.

In 2011, the Jets plan to move Shonn Greene in to a full-time role and push Tomlinson back to a third-down/spot duty back. With Greene in a primary role, the Jets will need a speedy scat back to spell him and offer a change of pace.

DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) is an intriguing player, but he will likely be drafted before New York is ready to spend a draft pick on a running back. We like Da'Rel Scott of Maryland a lot as a middle-round guy.

7. Quarterback

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets runs dow field during their 19 to 24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Mar

Mark Sanchez continued to improve in 2010 but did become more inconsistent in the second half of the season. Sanchez is the franchise quarterback here, there is no disputing that, but the Jets will be wise to add a young player to develop behind him.

Mark Brunell is likely to retire and Kellen Clemens will leave via free agency, leaving the Jets' cupboard bare behind Sanchez.

A late-round selection of a quarterback may bring on groans from the Jets faithful in the stands, but this is a much-needed pick for the team late.

Who might the Jets look at in Rounds 6 or 7? Nathan Enderle (Idaho) is a nice developmental prospect, as is T.J. Yates of North Carolina.