NY Jets listed as one of the ‘best fits’ for Joe Thuney in free agency

The NY Jets will have their eyes on a number of high-profile free agents this offseason. But perhaps none more so than standout guard Joe Thuney.

Thuney is preparing to hit free agency after spending the first five seasons of his career with the New England Patriots. And the Jets make a ton of sense as a potential landing spot.

In fact, FanSided national reporter Matt Lombardo recently listed the Jets as one of the “best fits” for Thuney in free agency. Lombardo identified the Jets as one of five fits for Thuney along with the Jacksonville Jaguars and a few other teams.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise given the rumors we’ve heard in recent weeks about the Jets and Thuney. If there is one free agent that they’re almost certain to target this offseason, it’s him.

The NY Jets have wanted Joe Thuney for at least a year now

The Jets reportedly planned to make a serious run at Thuney last offseason before the Patriots placed the franchise tag on him just prior to free agency. But this year, things might be different.

The Patriots and Thuney are seemingly nowhere close on extension talks and the Patriots aren’t expected to place the tag on him for a second consecutive season to make him the highest-paid guard in football.

That means there’s a very good chance that he hits free agency. And if that’s the case, the Jets are expected to make him one of their top targets.

Thuney has somewhat flown under-the-radar in New England, but the 28-year-old has been one of the best guards in the league over the past few years.

Since entering the league as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Thuney has yet to miss a single game and hasn’t finished with a Pro Football Focus grade ranking worse than 12th at his position since his rookie season.

The durability combined with stellar play makes him a bonafide top-eight guard in football, and he’s set to earn a sizable payday in the offseason.

General manager Joe Douglas isn’t necessarily known for overpaying in free agency. But if there’s any player he would overpay for, it’s like Thuney.

He’s a high-character, durable, All-Pro-worthy performer who plays one of the biggest positions of need on the roster. In essence, he’s the perfect Douglas/Jets free-agent target.

The Jets have the financial flexibility and draft capital to make a lot of major additions this offseason. Expect Joe Thuney to be high atop their list of free-agent targets.