WR/RB Free Agent Targets for The New York Jets

The Jets Enter the Offseason With The Third Most Cap Space in The NFL!

By: Eric Sojash

With the NFL salary cap expected to go down for the 2021 season (180 -181 million), the Jets are one of the teams with the largest projected cap space (72 million) and should be looking to spend it this off-season. Assuming the QB situation is addressed via the draft (Zach Wilson / Justin Fields) or trade (Deshaun Watson) the jets have needs in almost every other position. 

There is a new Sheriff in town, and I believe he means business. With the hiring of new Head Coach Robert Saleh, the Jets find themselves rebuilding with a new attitude and direction that should finally provide fans with legitimate hope. They have a lot of work to do but after hitting on the HC, and assuming they do the same at QB, here are the key acquisitions the New York Jets should add in Free agency to complete the puzzle. 

• Chris Godwin ”“ I cannot lie, originally, I did not have Godwin as the first target to discuss in this piece however waking up today victorious the 24 years old is primed to be sought after with SUPERBOWL champion attached to his name going into free agency. 

Coming off a down-season statistically in which he shared the receiving load with All-Pro talent and missed a few games due to injury, the slot receiver was able to produce respectable numbers (65 REC 840 YARDS 7TDS). 

Godwin will command a lot of attention on the open market and it will be hard to outpitch the Goat Tom Brady (whom I am sure will do everything he can to keep Godwin in Tampa) but if I am the Jets, I might consider overpaying him. Keep in mind Chris will be 25 by the start of next season and he has not even entered his prime!

• Allen Robinson ”“ Robinson balled out in 2020 like it was a contract year”¦. Oh, wait it was a contract year and despite the Chicago Bears’ inefficiencies on offense, the 27-year-old from Penn State was lights out all season. Consistently beating coverage, Robinson once again displayed why he is a number one WR in today’s league and will be paid as such.

 The Jets and GM Joe Douglas have the cap space and an obvious immediate need for a WR1 the franchise has not had since Brandon Marshall departed in 2016. With plenty of blame to go around the offense finished the season ranking dead last in total offensive yards (279.9 YDS/G).

The Jets need offensive weapons and Allen Robinson is right near the top of the available weapons. Mr. Douglas, it is time to break the bank and get the team the help they desperately need.  

• Aaron Jones ”“ Ok full disclosure, I am not the biggest Packers fan but this dude ”˜Aaron say my name Jones’ is a supreme talent!  I know he got hurt in the NFC championship game and had some fumble issues so the current optics are not great, but he will learn, and he will improve. 

The 26-year-old has elite breakaway speed, shifty footwork, and deceptive trucking ability that make him a unique talent and difficult to contain. Over the past two seasons in rushing and receiving combined Jones has tallied an eye-popping 3,017 yards and 30 TDs. 

The Jets run game last season was abysmal ranking in the bottom 10 in yards per game (105.2 YDS/G) and tied for last in rushing touchdowns (9 Rush TDs). If the Packers are unable to resign him, addressing the running back position with what I would consider an elite RB in Aaron Jones is a no-brainer.

• Chris Carson – Chris Carson comes with some question marks in terms of durability after a down 2020 season however in 2018 and 2019 only Ezekiel Elliot totted the rock more times than Carson. 

If the Jets intend to implement a new identity that fits Head Coach Robert Saleh, then adding a 5’11, 222 Ibs punishing running back to your roster makes perfect sense. In San Francisco, Saleh had a powerful run game the offense continuously relied on and I can see him bringing some of that philosophy over to the Jets. 

Currently, Carson is the projected fourth-ranked free agent RB (with Jones, Drake and Fournette ranked ahead of him) so the Jets could get him at a bit of a discount, and after missing on the Le’Veon Bell signing they cannot afford to miss again.