New York Jets: Top 10 Free Agents to Target

Football is finally set to bless our lives once again.

The exciting free-agency frenzy will consume our lives as everybody throws offers at the top stars on the open market.

The New York Jets must make cuts to clear up their salary cap. Rest assured, New Yorkers, they will, with such immense free agents on the open market.

There are more than a dozen impact players the Jets can target, but we’ve narrowed down the Top 10 free agents New York will look to sign immediately.

These 10 free agents have the talent to separate New York from the rest of the pack.

The Jets are entering the third season of the Rex Ryan era and know this free-agency period will define their 2011 season. They are coming off an excellent draft in which they filled several holes, but there is still opportunity to bolster units and solidify their Super Bowl aspirations.

We know elite cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is on the radar, but where does he rank on the Top 10?

Will future Hall of Fame wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens crack the list? What about Plaxico Burress, who may prefer to stay in New York?

The Jets have a ton of options, as nearly every player in the league wants to play for the charismatic Ryan. Who should New York target first when the frenzy kicks off?

10. Mark Herzlich, OLB

New York is a bit strapped for cash, which is why they need to target affordable impact players.

It was downright absurd that a man of Herzlich’s character and talent went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft.

I still believe Rex Ryan should have drafted Herzlich in the seventh round instead of Colorado’s Scotty McKnight to please Mark Sanchez, but I was a big fan of the story, so I’ll forgive the organization.

Now is the time to make up for it.

Herzlich has the instincts, speed, strength and leadership qualities every coach would be thrilled to have on his roster. He is a perfect fit for Ryan’s defense and would become an instant fan favorite in New York.

After being slighted by the entire league, Herzlich is the type of player I want lighting the field on fire.

He will be even more motivated to perform above and beyond his immense talents after being overlooked and doubted by 32 teams.

9. Brad Smith, WR

Aside from Santonio Holmes, Brad Smith is the free agent New York cannot afford to lose.

Smith is one of the most underrated players in the league.

His contributions to the Jets’ offense and special teams are truly invaluable. He is a phenomenal kick-returner with excellent vision, agility and elusiveness.

He is a very good possession receiver, but his speed and separation skills allow him to be a solid deep threat as well.

More importantly, he allows offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to run his version of the Wild Cat to near-perfection.

A converted quarterback, he has solid pocket awareness, arm strength and accuracy to make a major impact in special Wild Cat packages.

His ability to run out of the formation with ease from behind center also gives the Jets an advantage in the postseason and clutch situations.

8. Cullen Jenkins, DE

Jenkins is the top 3-4 defensive end on the market and would be a perfect fit for Rex Ryan’s defense.

There is no questioning Jenkins’ ability, but will he be as hungry as he was last year after just winning the Super Bowl?

One has to think not, but Ryan has the ability to draw the best out of every one of his men.

Jenkins is the stellar veteran New York needs for its young defensive line.

The Jets just drafted an absolute man-beast in defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, but they will need solid veterans with experience and winning mentality to mentor these two young studs and anchor the defense.

The secondary and defensive line are the two most important units on Ryan’s defense and he will need them to be in tip-top shape to compete for a Super Bowl.

7. Shaun Ellis, DE

Shaun Ellis is on his last legs, but he is a staple in this organization.

He knows everything there is to know about the team and defensive system, which is why it is necessary to bring him back for his final few seasons at a discount rate.

He is not the top defensive end on the open market, but he is one of the top 3-4 defensive ends and a team leader in the locker room.

His experience and leadership is too valuable to lose at this point.

With little time to prepare for the season, Ryan would most likely prefer to bring back somebody who knows the ins-and-outs of New York’s day-to-day operations.

It remains to be seen just how hungry Cullen Jenkins is after winning the Super Bowl in February. We know for sure that Ellis is famished and needs a Super Bowl appearance to fill his stomach.

6. Johnathan Joseph, CB

Joseph is the third-best cornerback on the market and would cost less than Antonio Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha.

He forms a great tandem in Cincinnati with Leon Hall, but he is not tied to the Bengals (hey, who would be?).

Joseph has the talent to be a shut-down corner and would excel with Darrelle Revis on the opposite side of the field.

With his recovery speed, quick hands and instincts, Rex Ryan and any New Yorker would feel comfortable with Joseph replacing Cromartie to lock down the cornerbacks.

Nobody would be worried about quarterbacks throwing his way, as he’s shown in the past he can be a No. 1 cornerback.

5. Braylon Edwards, WR

As much as I want to put Sidney Rice at this spot, Braylon Edwards is simply more feasible.

He wants to continue playing in New York, has shown a good rapport with Mark Sanchez and does not come with the injury concerns that Rice has.

Rice clearly reminds many of Larry Fitzgerald, but he simply has more concerns than Edwards.

More importantly, Rice may also demand more money on the open market than Edwards, as Edwards could face suspension for his DUI arrest last season.

Without the time to practice, at least New York can hang its hat on Edwards already being comfortable with Sanchez.

These two know each other and shouldn’t need much practice time to get back on the same page.

4. Antonio Cromartie, CB

Cromartie may very well be the second-best cornerback on the open market.

New York desperately needs another cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis, as Kyle Wilson simply will not cut it just yet.

I don’t agree with giving him a hefty, long-term contract, because I believe he can become far too complacent.

He proved to be a more willing tackler in New York than he was in San Diego, but I would prefer to see him do it again before giving him that monstrous contract.

Still, he wants to play in New York and clearly enjoys playing for Rex Ryan.

He has immense athleticism, leaping ability and recovery speed. He is solid in the return game and has a good chance at guarding most of the supremely-gifted wide receivers.

For this, he’s worth re-signing.

3. Randy Moss, WR

The last thing you ever want to do is completely write off Randy Moss.

"The Freak" has been preparing himself to get back to the top of the mountain, just like he did in 2007 before he was traded from Oakland to New England.

He may take plays off and have a poor attitude, but Rex Ryan will bring out the best of Moss once again.

He still has immense size, height, leaping ability, speed and hands. What more could you want?

This is a man determined to prove his many doubters wrong, which includes the despised Patriots.

The opportunity to get back at Bill Belichick for trading him and winning a Super Bowl would mean Moss will perform to the best of his abilities throughout the season.

He set the single-season touchdown record in 2007.

He won’t do that this year, but the possibility to accelerate Sanchez’s progression should be enough to take the chance. It’s all-or-nothing in New York, and I want Moss in my fox-hole for the 2011 season.

2. Santonio Holmes, WR

It is imperative New York re-signs Santonio Holmes.

I can live with Braylon Edwards, Antonio Cromartie and Brad Smith walking, as long as this man returns.

Is he the best receiver in the NFL? No.

Still, he is the reason the Jets have Super Bowl aspirations.

He is the clutch receiver in the NFL and deserves every penny he will surely demand on the open market.

His late-game clutch performances last season were nothing short of astonishing. He has taken his game to the next level and is the man I want Mark Sanchez tossing the rock to at the end of any game.

He has the playoff experience, winning mentality and swagger I need out of my top wide receiver.

You always want a man who has a proven track record for getting things done—Holmes has that record.

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

Nnamdi Asomugha is easily the top dog in the yard and the one man New York needs to invest all of its resources into acquiring.

With Darrelle Revis and Asomugha, New York is almost guaranteed at least a third-straight AFC Championship appearance.

Call me delusional, but I truly believe these two together and healthy for an entire season would guarantee a Super Bowl Championship.

Nnamdi and Revis are once-in-a-decade type of players.The opportunity to pair them together is simply too great to pass up.

With two cornerbacks shutting down each side of the field, Rex Ryan’s defense would absolutely explode and destroy offensive game plans. There is not a single quarterback-wide receiver corps in the league that could compete with these two cornerbacks.

If it means sacrificing the offense, then so be it.

Defense and a solid run game can win a Super Bowl Championship, as we’ve seen in the past.