Jets urged to make move for former 49ers Pro Bowl wide receiver

The New York Jets and general manager Darren Mougey made a mistake with the wide receiver position heading into the 2025 season.

Outside of Garrett Wilson, New York's only wide receivers were veterans Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, and 2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith. It went about as well as you'd expect.

After Wilson went down with an injury in Week 6, the Jets' wide receiver room was abysmal. It's why Mougey needed Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie added in midseason trades.

The Jets can't make that same mistake again, and while they've done a better job of adding pass catchers this offseason, namely Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. in the draft, they could still use more depth at the position.

What kind of free agents are out there who could give the Jets an immediate boost at wide receiver?

Jets could target Deebo Samuel as splash addition to WR room

Sports Illustrated's Devon Platana believes the Jets should target wide receiver Deebo Samuel in post-draft free agency, giving them another weapon to add to their arsenal.

"Samuel isn't as fast or physically dominant as he once was, but he doesn't have to be as the Jets' potential WR2/3. A performance similar to last year's with the Commanders would be more than fine, as it was a much better production than anything New York's receiver situation produced in 2025."

Devon Platana

After six years with the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders and was a solid contributor this past season.

He racked up 727 yards on 72 catches and hauled in five touchdowns in 16 games. Clearly, he still has some juice left in the tank.

The former All-Pro wide receiver would likely be taking reps away from the Jets' younger receivers like Mitchell and Cooper, but if both youngsters aren't ready for featured roles right away, Samuel would be a good veteran addition.

Spotrac expects Samuel to land a two-year, $31.5 million deal, something the Jets can surely afford, but should they?

Probably not. Even if New York thinks their younger wide receivers aren't ready to be primary targets, they need the experience. Both Mitchell and Cooper are key building blocks for the future.

The Jets are better off adding a less-expensive, more experienced wide receiver to their ranks who will be a role model for their younger guys, like a Tyler Lockett or DeAndre Hopkins.

Samuel would be the splash move, but it's not the right one for New York.

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