The New York Jets will open the legal tampering period with a bunch of holes, and their number one priority is the offensive line.
The New York Jets open the legal tampering period with holes on the offensive line, edge, cornerback, and wide receiver. There are some good players in each need for the Jets to target, but we’re here to prioritize which positions they need to target first.
Let’s make the priority list.
1. Offensive Line
The Jets need at least four offensive linemen — Jonnothan Harrison could be a reliable center option — and it would be ideal to land two in the draft and two in free agency. jACK Conklin, Graham Glasgow, Jason Peters, and Connor McGovern are major options for the Jets to land to rebuild this line.
There are some second-tier options as well. Bryan Bulaga and Daryl Williams are options at right tackle.
2. Edge
Edge is the second priority for the Jets. The franchise has been looking for that position for the longest time. The last major free agent signing at the position was Calvin Pace. The last major contributor on the edge was John Abraham.
There are two important things to winning: protect the quarterback (settled in the first priority) and get after the opposing quarterback. The Jets have been one of the worst at getting home when it comes to the edge. Pressures are great, but the team needs to get home more because sacks (while not the be-all and end-all) help flipping the field position.
There’s not much depth in the position in the draft. However, there is some good depth and second-tier edge rushers in free agency. Dante Fowler should be their top priority here. Jadeveon Clowney is a lower-tier option that they could target.
3. Wide Receiver
Getting a “WR1” isn’t crucial for the Jets offense. When it comes to getting wide receivers, it’s not about getting a prototypical number one receiver and building the offense around him. They should just get playmakers at the position. That’s all that matters.
There are two targets for the Jets here. Resigning Robby Anderson should be a priority, and if they can’t land him, signing Amari Cooper could be a target. Other than that, getting a wide receiver or two in the draft is probably most likely.
4. Cornerback
They need a second outside cornerback. The Jets need to re-sign Brian Poole to be their slot cornerback. When it comes to external free agents for the outside, it’s Byron Jones or bust when it comes to top contracts. On the other hand, Trae Waynes is a second-tier option, but corner is their last priority, and if they need to save cap space, they shouldn’t use it on corner and settle for that position in the draft.
