NY Jets: Top 5 free agent edge rushers they should target

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) dances after a let fourth quarter team sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The defense of the NY Jets in 2015 was marvelous, but it can be improved. One way the Jets can do that is by adding some speed.

The Jets’ defense lived up to the billing for most of the 2015 season with their ability to force turnovers, stop the running game and rush the passer. But that last category could be improved upon heading into the 2016 season.

One way to do that is through free agency as the Jets did a heck of a job improving their squad in last year’s free agency period. Though the Jets won’t have the same financial situation to help, they should be able to improve the edge rush to a degree.

Here are the top five free agents  who could step in and improve this unit immediately.

Next: 5. Tamba Hali

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) gestures to Chiefs fans during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tamba Hali

Now let’s temper expectations a little first, to reiterate, the Jets won’t have as much money as they did last off-season, but they can still make some things happen. Starting this list with an older player who could step in and immediately improve this unit would be Tamba Hali.

When you think of Kansas City, the first name you think of is Justin Houston and for good reason as he’s a dynamic pass rusher. But during the 2015 season, Houston dealt with a myriad of injuries forcing the Chiefs to rely upon the pass rushing prowess of Hali, he didn’t disappoint.

Last season, Hali had the sixth highest pass rushing grade of any edge defender according to Pro Football Focus. On top of that stat, he could be had on the relative cheap with his age and the perception that he is getting long in the tooth.

Hali could look to join a contender and try to be the last piece of a defense, which he very well could be opposite of Lorenzo Mauldin who is going to continue to develop. This move is probably one of the more likely on this list just due to salary cap reasons.

Next: 4. Nick Perry

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) celebrates after sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Nick Perry

If the Green Bay Packers are smart, they’ll re-sign Nick Perry before he ever enters free agency. Otherwise, plenty of teams will be calling his agent to see what the asking price is.

This guy was a terror for opposing offenses late in the season and especially during the postseason. During the regular season, he had 3.5 sacks, but during the postseason, he doubled those figures with another 3.5 sacks.

A former first round pick out of USC in 2012, Perry came out of the gates a little slow only notching nine sacks in his first three seasons. The obvious concern will be he was playing in a contract year and that is where we saw the highest production.

That should be carefully evaluated, but his potential is through the roof and the Jets are lacking that one guy on defense who opposing teams have to prepare for on a week to week basis, Perry could be that guy.

Next: 3. Jason Pierre-Paul

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) reacts after blocking a pass by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jason Pierre-Paul

Okay before anyone bashes this guy being on the list, let me reiterate that I’ve been a sports enthusiast and particularly a football enthusiast for over a decade. I know fully well that Jason Pierre-Paul’s position is a 4-3 rushing end.

But what Todd Bowles is looking for is an edge rusher, in whatever form that may be, he even used Sheldon Richardson in that stand up role near the end of the 2015 season. There are a lot of red flags that need to be addressed before Pierre-Paul signs on the dotted line.

The contract. As it has been mentioned throughout this article and will be reiterated again throughout, is the fact that the Jets aren’t poor but they aren’t filthy rich either with their salary cap. The money would have to make sense.

The other glaring hole is Pierre-Paul’s latest and hopefully last surgical procedure that should provide him flexibility in his middle finger and increase his ability to grab. Why is this important? Well, JPP will no longer have to hoist that club that he wore throughout the season.

Being able to wrap up and tackle is huge for any player, especially when your sole job is to rush the passer. I think this would be a phenomenal addition, again if the price is right. Plus, I think personally, Pierre-Paul will be looking to show that he can be effective maybe a short-term, prove it kind of deal that would make sense for both sides.

Next: 2. Bruce Irvin

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bruce Irvin

It’s possible that some of these guys could re-sign with their respective franchises before they even reach free agency, but the chances of Bruce Irvin re-upping with his club seem slim to none. Irvin has made it well aware that he very much looks forward to free agency according to ESPN Atlanta Falcons’ team reporter Vaughn McClure:

“Irvin made a possible marriage seem like much more of a possibility last season when he told Samuel Logan of Black Sports Online during an Atlanta Hawks game he wanted to be in Atlanta in 2016.”

“But money talks. As former sports agent and now contract/cap analyst Joel Corry noted Monday, Irvin’s agent, Joel Segal, won’t be interested in taking a hometown discount. Segal was the same guy who brokered a six-year, $101 million deal for Kansas City pass-rushing linebacker Justin Houston, a deal that included $52.5 million guaranteed.”

So again money talks, which could keep him out of a Jets uniform. But Irvin also mentioned in that very same article (Likely Falcons free-agent target Bruce Irvin could be lured at right price), that he may be willing to take a home-town discount to stay with the Seattle Seahawks.

If it was possible to lure him maybe being the face of the franchise on defense or whatever it took, the Jets may have something on their hands. The Jets got dangerously close to adding Irvin in the draft several years ago with the 16th overall pick, everyone knows instead, Rex Ryan and crew decided to go with Quinton Coples who has since been released.

Next: 1. Von Miller

Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) rushes pas San Diego Chargers tackle Joe Barksdale (72) during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. Von Miller

And finally we’ve reached the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, the prized gem of this year’s free agency class. Now for the Jets to be able to swing this deal, general manager Mike Maccagnan would have to really work the salary cap numbers.

But we’ve seen it almost happen before with Nnamdi Asomugha, when he was almost lured to New York. It’s not impossible especially with the cap casualty potential with Antonio Cromartie, Jeff Cumberland and Breno Giacomini.

More jets: NY Jets 2015 Report Card: Quarterbacks

Miller would be the missing piece, the Jets would instantly have the best defense in the league coupled with the most dynamic pass rusher in the entire NFL. Every play Miller is in he will be a difference maker.

Five years, 60 sacks and 16 forced fumbles is the kind of production that gets you mega bucks. I don’t know if the Jets would be willing to pay the piper to bring him in here, but it’s worth discussing and I hope the same can be said for the Jets’ front office.