Top 5 free agent wide receivers Jets should consider

The New York Jets need to add more firepower to their offense as here are the top five free agent wide receivers they should consider acquiring this offseason.

When it comes to the overall offense of the New York Jets, it’s in dire need of new talent. For a moment, forget about the glaring issues on their offensive line and how the Jets still don’t have an established franchise quarterback. Their wide receiver situation is average at best in the grand scheme of things.

With the uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Robby Anderson after his shocking offseason arrest, who else do the Jets have that is a true No. 1 option in the positional group? Quincy Enunwa missed all of last season due to a severe neck injury as there is no guarantee he can even return to form after a year out of the game after major surgery.

Jermaine Kearse is a solid wide receiver but thrives more in the No. 2 or slot position. Rookie wide receivers ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen didn’t do much of anything last year so there is optimism they develop in their sophomore seasons but again, hope doesn’t always equal reality.

Here are the top five free agent wide receivers that would not only add a legitimate threat on offense but help compliment others the Jets currently have on the roster. Keep in mind every wide receiver listed here are unrestricted free agents.

Next: 5. Sammy Watkins

5. Sammy Watkins

Jets fans are familiar with everything wide receiver Sammy Watkins brings to the table due to his three years with the Buffalo Bill before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Watkins has always been injury-prone but when healthy, is truly a force to reckon with.

Last year with the Rams, Watkins did his part and helped push his team into the NFL Playoffs. In 2017, Watkins totaled 593 receiving yards, 39 receptions, and eight touchdowns. Yes, Watkins would be a risky acquisition in free agency but would be an inexpensive option to bolster the receiving corps of the Jets.

Even if Watkins isn’t returning to his promising No. 1 receiver role like he was just a few years ago, he would still be a nice complementary receiver that could thrive in a No. 3 or slot role. Watkins is all about making big plays as his career average of yards per reception is 15.9.

The Jets need players like Watkins that can run solid routes and make plays when the football is headed their way. Watkins would be an inexpensive acquisition, help address an offensive need, and well, add some interesting fuel to the Jets/Bills rivalry.

Next: 4. Albert Wilson

4. Albert Wilson

If the Jets don’t bring back Anderson and Enunwa is not the same player he used to be, Kearse would be their only real offensive threat at wide receiver. Maybe the Jets won’t want to break the bank on a wide receiver but bring someone in that has upside to help fill in the gaps.

This is where wide receiver Albert Wilson falls into place as the potential is there but due to the crowded wide receiver situation of the Kansas City Chiefs, a change of scenery would bode well for him. Yes, the Jets depth chart at wide receiver is also stacked but again, that’s what training camp is for to determine who is worth keeping around and who should be removed.

Wilson has always put up decent numbers and has NFL Playoff experience which is always a great thing to have in a locker room. Wilson is coming off his best season yet as he totaled 554 receiving yards, 42 receptions, and three touchdowns.

Depth is incredibly important and especially with how uncertain the Jets wide receiver situation is, Wilson could look at signing with the Jets as a huge opportunity to move up on the depth chart and perhaps land a bigger role than anything he’s done with the Chiefs. The opportunity will undoubtedly be there this upcoming season.

Next: 3. Mike Wallace

3. Mike Wallace

Experience is always important to have on offense, especially on those key third down conversions. Wide receiver Mike Wallace has close to a decade’s worth of experience and is still getting the job done.

Anything can happen with the Jets wide receiver corps as bringing someone like Wallace into the mix would give them an instant starter and a player that can do it all. Besides hauling in touchdowns, his career 15.0 yards per reception average would be another huge advantage on offense.

A big reason Wallace would make sense is he also won’t be looking for a huge contract but a one or two-year deal to acquire his services would suit the Jets well. Since they’re rebuilding through youth, imagine the continued mentoring someone like Wallace would do with all the younger players around him?

Wallace would be that typical low-risk high-reward kind of free agent signing that would tremendously benefit the Jets. Especially if next season, their wide receiver corps looks much different than anything we’ve seen over the past few years.

Next: 2. Ryan Grant

2. Ryan Grant

Ryan Grant is a young wide receiver that could potentially have a lot of teams interested in his services if he hits free agency. Grant enjoyed a solid season with the Washington Redskins in which he totaled 573 receiving yards, 45 receptions, and four touchdowns.

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Yes, these numbers aren’t exactly mind-blowing but at the end of the day, at 27-years-old, he would be a nice addition that adds some good play-making abilities to the Jets. He’s fast, runs routes well, and could be acquired with long-term potential.

Ideally, Grant could be brought in on a decent two or three-year deal and would be a solid pickup by the Jets. He has tremendous potential to be a very good slot receiver and take advantage of defensive mismatches.

Hopefully, the Jets stock up on at least a wide receiver or two in this year’s free agency since they need to infuse better talent into the positional group. Grant would bring a lot of good statistics and could potentially be a steal if the price is right.

Next: 1. Jarvis Landry

1. Jarvis Landry

The top target the Jets need to consider if they want to add a wide receiver via free agency is without question Jarvis Landry. Since the Jets have a plethora of salary cap space to work with this offseason, Landry would be a player worth investing some serious money into.

Landry is coming off a monster year with the Miami Dolphins. In 2017, Landry totaled 987 receiving yards, 112 receptions, and nine touchdowns. He’s been relatively healthy for years now and is figured to be the top free agent wide receiver if he hits the market.

If the Jets want to be serious about bringing in top talent to eventually be a contender again as they continue rebuilding the right way, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Landry will easily want a long-term massive contract and the Jets should consider making it happen thanks to everything he would bring to the franchise. Talk about adding a unique twist to the legendary Jets/Dolphins rivalry if he defected to another team in the AFC East.

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Acquiring Landry would turn the Jets into a better team instantly and also make it an attractive place for other potential free agents. Perhaps with Landry in the mix, it could also entice potential free agent quarterbacks to jump ship as well since the Jets would have a legitimate No. 1 receiving option ready to get to work. Kirk Cousins, anyone?