It was a successful NFL Draft for the Jets and general manager Joe Douglas. He got what he believes is a franchise quarterback (Zach Wilson). He got that quarterback protection (Alijah Vera-Tucker) and playmakers (Elijah Moore, Michael Carter). He then turned his attention to the defense with his final six picks (Jamien Sherwood, Michael Carter II, Jason Pinnock, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Brandin Echols, Jonathan Marshall).
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The Jets believe they are a better team now than they were last Wednesday. But there are opportunities for them to improve even more. With the draft now over, they can again focus on veteran free agency, where there are still several notable names available.
Here are 10 the Jets might look to add.
Richard Sherman
Position: Cornerback
2020 stats: 18 tackles | 1 INT | 1 PB (5 games)
Analysis: This is the easiest connection to make with the draft over. The Jets didn’t spend any of their premier selections on an outside corner. Bless Austin and Bryce Hall have potential, but it’s risky to rely on their inexperience without a veteran presence. Sherman is the top outside corner available in free agency and is a favorite of new Jets coach Robert Saleh. The issue: Does Sherman feel like playing for the Jets? There are only so many years left in the 33-year-old’s career. While he’d certainly start on the Jets’ defense and make them better, New York doesn’t give him an opportunity to win a championship within the next two years. Sherman recently talked to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and said he’s been in contact with the 49ers, Seahawks, Saints and Raiders. All four of those teams are much closer to contention than the Jets. New York could insert itself into Sherman’s consideration with a juicy contract, but that’s not really Douglas’ style.
Melvin Ingram
Position: Defensive end
2020 stats: 10 tackles | 5 QB hits | 0 sacks (7 games)
Analysis: You can never have too many pass rushers. While Ingram, 32, had a down season last year, it was due to a knee issue. He had 21.5 sacks the previous three years, including seven in both 2018 and 2019. The Jets’ defensive front is talented, led by Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankins and Quinnen Williams, but also incredibly young. They might benefit from a been-there, done-that player like Ingram, who still holds value as a situational pass rusher. Saleh has experience making it work with multiple rushers before. In San Francisco, he had Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, Solomon Thomas and others. Ingram would join a defensive front featuring rushers Vinny Curry, John Franklin-Myers and Jabari Zuniga, in addition to Lawson, Rankins and Williams.
K.J. Wright
Position: Linebacker
2020 stats: 86 tackles | 2.0 sacks | 11 TFL | 1 INT | 10 pass breakups
Analysis: The Jets went into the 2021 draft with a need at outside linebacker. They used fifth- and sixth-round picks on Sherwood and Nasirildeen, two collegiate safeties they will try to convert to linebackers. The potential reward is significant considering just how athletic the defense will be if one (or both) can successfully make the transition. Wright would give the Jets some veteran insurance. He’s familiar with Saleh’s defense, and, even at almost 32, still a solid player. Wright finished last season with a 75.7 Pro Football Focus grade, including an impressive 79.2 mark in coverage. An added benefit: Getting another player accustomed to winning in that locker room.
Steven Nelson
Position: Cornerback
2020 stats: 48 tackles | 9 PB | 2 INT
Analysis: If the Jets have concerns with Sherman’s age, or believe he wants to play for a winner, Nelson isn’t a bad consolation prize. He’s still young (28), with decent size (5-11, 194) and athleticism, and was productive the last three years. With the Chiefs in 2018, Nelson finished with a PFF grade of 72.1. He had the best season of his career with the Steelers in 2019, finishing with a PFF grade of 80.5.
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There was a bit of a drop in 2020, but not a horrid one. Quarterbacks threw at Nelson 81 times, completing 46 for 504 yards, four touchdowns and a rating of 81.5. He’d give the Jets a sure thing at one of their outside corner spots in case Austin or Hall don’t develop as hoped. And if Austin and Hall do develop, the Jets can start the two over Nelson. No player signed at this point in free agency will demand a long-term deal that would prevent benching him.
Justin Houston
Position: Defensive end
2020 stats: 25 tackles | 8.0 sacks | 8 TFL | 12 QB hits
Analysis: As mentioned, you can never have too many pass rushers. Houston is still statistically productive, even at 32 years old. It’s unlikely the Colts bring him back, which means Houston will need to find a new team. He might want to play for one a bit closer to contention, but if prolonging his career is his only goal, then the Jets make some sense. He’s still a valuable piece off the bench on third downs.
Kwon Alexander
Position: Linebacker
2020 stats: 57 tackles | 3 TFL | 4 PB | 2 FF
Analysis: When healthy, Alexander is among the more talented linebackers in the NFL. He just hasn’t played a full season since 2016. Douglas usually shies away from players with injury concerns, which is why Wright is probably a more realistic signing than Alexander. Still, the 26-year-old’s age and familiarity with Saleh make it possible.
Golden Tate
Position: Receiver
2020 stats: 35 catches | 388 yards | 2 TDs (12 games)
Analysis: This one is not an option for the current state of the Jets. They don’t need Tate with Denzel Mims, Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and rookie Elijah Moore. But while Douglas did say the Moore drafting was not made to replace Crowder, he does make Crowder, and his $10 million guaranteed cap hit, expendable. If the Jets decide to move on from Crowder, Tate makes sense as another weapon for Wilson. He’s also a perfect scheme fit. Mike LaFleur wants wideouts who can create yardage after the catch. That’s Tate.
Brian Hoyer
Position: Quarterback
2020 stats: 15 of 24 | 130 yards | 0 TD | 1 INT (1 game)
Analysis: The Jets will certainly look to add a veteran presence after drafting Wilson. They had Hoyer in for a visit before the NFL Draft, but it’s been quiet on that front since. He’s the best option in free agency. The best overall option, though, is Nick Foles. He’s expendable after the Bears drafted Justin Fields and signed Andy Dalton. The Jets can have Hoyer if they want, but acquiring Foles in a trade might be a bit more likely considering Douglas’ connection with him from their time in Philadelphia. Another benefit to Foles: Because of his salary, the Jets might be able to pry an upgraded draft pick from Chicago. Think Foles and a fourth coming to New York for a sixth-rounder, or something like that.
Prince Amukamara
Position: Cornerback
2020 stats: 53 tackles | 10 pass breakups | 0 INT (2019; DNP 2020)
Analysis: Amukamara, 31, spent the 2020 season on the Raiders and Cardinals practice squads. He’s not the player he was, but still a solid veteran with experience as both an inside and outside cornerback. The Jets flirted with signing the former Giants first-round pick in recent years. Maybe now, after the draft, they bring him aboard. This would be an ideal insurance policy for Hall and Austin because the Jets wouldn’t need to guarantee much of the contract. If the two youngsters are ready, then the Jets can cut Amukamara after training camp.
Vic Beasley
Position: Pass rusher
2020 stats: 4 tackles (10 games, 0 starts)
Analysis: Beasley is a productive pass rusher when he’s mentally checked in. While the 15.5 sacks he had his second year might have been a mirage, he did have 8.0 in 2019. Last year just didn’t work for the former first-round pick as he spent time with both the Rams and Titans. He has experience with new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. It could be a low-risk, high-upside signing to add another pass rusher to the mix.
(Photo of Melvin Ingram: Jake Roth / USA Today)
