One potential future Jets player to watch on each playoff team playing Saturday

When you sit down to watch football this weekend, you will not be watching the New York Jets, as has been the case for the past 15 NFL playoffs. So, as a Jets fan, you should be used to this.

The one thing you can do, however, is give yourself a little preview of 2026. The Jets are a team with plenty more questions than answers. A lot of those questions will be answered via free agency, and a lot of soon-to-be free agents will be lacing up cleats for a playoff team this weekend.

With so many holes to fill, there is no shortage of position groups to target. Starting with Saturday, when the Buffalo Bills head to Denver and the 49ers head to Seattle, let's take a look at one player from each team that the Jets very well may target in the offseason.

Jets free agent targets from Saturday's NFL playoff games

Denver Broncos - Alex Singleton, LB

Quincy Williams is set to become a free agent this March. He's likely to demand a figure somewhere in between his base of $6.5 million in 2025 and running mate Jamien Sherwood's $15 million salary in 2027.

Spotrac has his market value around $9 million, but it wouldn't be surprising if he got more. That said, it seems rather unlikely that he returns to play in 2026. If Darren Mougey opts to let him walk, his possible replacement might reside in Denver.

Alex Singleton, the former Eagles linebacker and CFL Calgary Stampeders standout, offers comparable — if not greater — value than Williams, and likely at a more reasonable cost.

He earned a $5.5 million base salary this season compared to Williams’ $6.5 million, and at 32 years old, Singleton is far less likely to command the kind of payday Williams is expected to seek.

While Jamien Sherwood already has one linebacker spot locked down, Singleton has shown the versatility to play either MIKE or WILL. He put together his best run-defending season in 2025, earning an 82.9 Pro Football Focus grade, and he’s also capable of contributing as a blitzer when called upon.

As he is attempting to corral Josh Allen on Saturday, try to imagine what that would look like in green and white instead of orange and blue.

Buffalo Bills - David Edwards, G

The Jets' offensive line was considered a strength heading into 2025, and while the tackle duo of Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou shows a lot of promise, the interior leaves a lot to be desired.

Joe Tippmann fared well enough sliding over to right guard, but Josh Myers was underwhelming at center, particularly against the run. John Simpson wasn't much better at left guard. Thus, guards and centers should be up near the top of Mougey's offseason wish list.

When the Bills travel to Denver, they'll be bringing the league's No. 1 rushing attack with them. A huge part of their success must be attributed to David Edwards, the veteran left guard out of Wisconsin.

Edwards finished the 2025 regular season with a 68.7 PFF run blocking grade and 73.7 pass blocking grade. He allowed just one QB hit and only four sacks. He's set to be a free agent and would be an upgrade at guard for sure, something the Jets' 29th overall offense sorely needs.

San Francisco 49ers - Jauan Jennings, WR

Garrett Wilson would be justified if he were sick and tired of the Jets as a franchise. Based on his recent defense of the organization, though, he appears on board. And if he is to be part of the long-term plan, he can't be the only weapon on the outside, as he is now.

The Jets will need to find a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver. Whether it's a veteran holdover or a rookie QB, they'll fail just as badly as Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook did this past season if they don't improve that unit.

Building from the ground up is usually the right first move. But you can never have too many receivers, and the Jets would be smart to explore the open market for a proven one. If they do, they might want to spend some time watching 49ers tape because San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings would look like a perfect fit opposite Garrett Wilson.

The former Tennessee standout is set to become a free agent, and he'll bring a resume of 15 touchdowns, 1,618 receiving yards, and 132 receptions over the past two seasons with him wherever he goes. Spotrac projects his market value at $18.2 million per year, which is certainly a pretty penny.

But elite production costs a lot of money, and a healthy Garrett Wilson, alongside the value Jennings brings, could result in elite production. It would immediately make the Jets among the top in wide receiver duos in the league.

And at the age of 28, you're getting him as he enters his prime.

Seattle Seahawks - Boye Mafe, Edge

While Will McDonald is no slouch, the Jets still lack a game-breaking pass rusher, and have for a long time. His 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons sure come in handy, but offenses aren't designing gameplans in fear of his presence.

The Jets either need someone better, or they need two of him. McDonald on the outside isn’t enough to wreck passing games by himself, but pairing him with a similar threat on the other side could make life miserable for opposing offenses.

Enter Seattle’s Boye Mafe, a four-year defensive end out of Minnesota. He isn’t a true game-wrecker on his own, but he brings enough juice that pairing him with McDonald would give the Jets a legitimate one-two punch off the edge. That kind of tandem is the sort that starts speeding up quarterbacks and breaking passing games.

He has 12 sacks and 72 QB hurries over the past two seasons. His 68.7 PFF pass-rush grade this season closely mirrors McDonald's 71.0 grade. This pairing is the kind of two-some that really moves the needle on defense.

On Saturday, pay attention to Brock Purdy's blindside. You just might see a future Jets edge rusher rounding that corner.