NY Jets: 4 free agents to target after the 2021 NFL Draft

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1. The NY Jets could target CB Steven Nelson

It’s somewhat puzzling that former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson remains a free agent after being released by the team (at his request) back in March.

Nelson is still relatively young (he turned 28 back in January) and has been a starting-caliber cornerback for the past half-decade. And he’s just two years removed from an incredible 2019 season.

The Oregon State product finished the 2019 season with a superb 80.5 PFF grade that ranked sixth out of all cornerbacks in the NFL. He regressed back to the norm in 2019, but his norm is still above average.

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Nelson hasn’t received a PFF grade below 68.0 since 2016 and has been ranked in the top-36 at his position in each of the last three years. Again, how is this guy a free agent in May?

The Jets should do everything they can to sign Nelson to not only provide a short-term boost to their cornerback room, but to give the team a rock-solid starter hopefully on a multi-year contract.

Bryce Hall showed promise in his rookie year, but he cannot be relied on as the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback. And it seems clear at this stage that Blessuan Austin is not a starting-caliber player.

The Jets need to add a veteran cornerback before the season starts, and none are more appealing than Nelson.

Next. New York Jets: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

Both as a short-term and potential long-term addition.

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