Veteran WR market continues to dry up on Jets after Eagles land Dontayvion Wicks

The New York Jets have yet to make a move at wide receiver this offseason, allowing John Metchie to walk in free agency to the Carolina Panthers and making no corresponding move to maintain some depth.

Instead, the Jets' wide receiver room consists of superstar Garrett Wilson, hopeful WR2 Adonai Mitchell, 2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith, and several camp bodies.

The Jets cannot risk going into the season with a group like this, similar to how they entered last season with the likes of Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard flanking Wilson.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks was a potential veteran trade option for the Jets, at least until today. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Philadelphia Eagles are dealing for the wideout, taking him off the market.

Jets need to bring in a veteran wide receiver like Dontayvion Wicks

Despite Wicks being off the market, the Jets should use the trade as a blueprint to acquire their own veteran wide receiver. Philadelphia only had to give up a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to get the deal done.

Wicks seems like a good player. He's been buried on the depth chart in Green Bay for almost his entire career, leading to a lower statistical output. In three years with the Packers, his numbers have slowly decreased since his 581-yard rookie year, but he's produced a career total of 1,328 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In fact, Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano urged the Jets to make a move for the wideout before he ended up getting dealt to the Eagles.

"He’s (Wicks) buried on the Packers’ depth chart and unlikely to be re-signed after 2026, so a Day 3 pick might be enough. Wicks would give New York a competent second receiver for this season and could be a contributor beyond that."

Ralph Vacchiano

The former Virginia standout was entering the final year of his contract and was set to be a free agent in 2027, but Schefter noted Philadelphia tacked on a one-year, $12.5 million contract, keeping him under wraps until at least 2028.

It makes sense why Green Bay would want to get some value for a player they likely didn't intend on re-signing. Maybe the Jets can search for a similar player in the same contract situation, such as Denver Broncos wideout Marvin Mims.

The Jets do need more veteran wide receivers, but they also have to be smart when determining which assets to send out when acquiring talent.