16 best NY Jets free agency targets still available after Day 1

The NY Jets started free agency with a bang on Monday signing two new players and re-signing a pair of their own. General manager Joe Douglas has spoken all offseason about being more aggressive this offseason.

The team's moves on the first day of free agency certainly seem to indicate that's the plan.

The Jets came away with a new right guard in Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson, a new tight end in C.J. Uzomah, and they managed to re-sign a player who most believed was gone in Braxton Berrios. Tevin Coleman returning on a one-year deal shouldn't be overlooked either.

It was a successful first 24 hours for the Jets who managed to revamp their offense and bring back two players who earned new deals. That said, their work is far from over.

The Jets still need to do a ton to fix a defense that ranked dead last in the NFL in 2021. The 2022 NFL Draft will help, but it's safe to say the Jets have at least a few more signings up their sleeve.

Who might those players be, however? Which free agents are still out there? Fortunately for the Jets, there are a number of appealing free-agent targets who remain on the market.

Let's take a look at 16 of the best free agents still available after Day 1 of free agency.

16. NY Jets target: Ronnie Harrison, LB/S

Ronnie Harrison fits the mold of what the Jets are looking for in their linebackers. Harrison has spent the first four years of his career playing safety, but he could make the switch to linebacker in the Jets' defensive scheme.

At 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, Harrison could play that Keanu Neal role the Jets were looking for last offseason and help mentor fellow converted safeties in Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen.

15. NY Jets target: Rasul Douglas, CB

Rasul Douglas is a player who's frequently been tied to the Jets in the past. A former third-round pick of Joe Douglas' Philadelphia Eagles back in 2017, the New Jersey native is coming off the best year of his career.

The Jets are looking for cornerback help, and while Douglas wouldn't offer them the true No. 1 corner they're looking for, he would be important depth. His familiarity with Douglas helps him earn a spot on this list.

14. NY Jets target: Riley Reiff, OT

The Jets might not be done adding to their offensive line in free agency. One position they absolutely could address is offensive tackle, specifically their tackle depth.

Riley Reiff is probably the best pure swing tackle on the market with nearly 140 starts over his 10-year career. Reiff might be looking for a starting job, but if the Jets can get him for relatively cheap, he'd be an ideal swing tackle.

13. NY Jets target: Cornelius Lucas, OT

Speaking of ideal swing tackles, perhaps a more realistic option is Cornelius Lucas. Lucas is an undervalued free agent who has been one of the better swing tackles in football over the last few years.

The Jets can't afford to go into the 2022 season with Conor McDermott and Chuma Edoga as their top backup tackles and Lucas might just be the right player at the right price to fix that issue.

12. NY Jets target: Russell Gage, WR

The Jets brought back fan-favorite Braxton Berrios on Monday filling a hole at slot receiver, but they could still be in the market for another receiver.

Russell Gage is an ascending wideout who, at just 26-years-old, should have a decent market, especially given how the wide receiver market had developed. The Berrios re-signing makes this less likely, but he's still an appealing target.

11. NY Jets target: Maliek Collins, DT

The Jets have a pretty sizable hole at defensive tackle following the departure of Folorunso Fatukasi. Expect them to make at least one addition at that spot in free agency.

One of the better defensive tackles remaining is Maliek Collins. Collins could fill the hole left by Fatukasi's departure and serve an important role as a rotational interior defensive lineman.

10. NY Jets target: Jayron Kearse, S

The Jets are going to sign a safety. It might be today. It might be tomorrow. Either way, it's going to happen. One under-the-radar player who makes a ton of sense is Jayron Kearse.

Kearse has experience playing in a Dan Quinn defensive scheme that's not too dissimilar to the one Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich run. He's a fun chess piece who could provide a big boost to the Jets' defense at a relatively cheap price.

9. NY Jets target: Donte Jackson, CB

The Jets remain active in the cornerback market even with the top names already signed. One player who makes sense as a potential target is Donte Jackson.

Jackson has been inconsistent in Carolina, but at only 26-years-old, the former second-round pick is a good scheme fit and someone with the ball skills they're looking for. 12 interceptions in four years is nothing to scoff at.

8. NY Jets target: Bradley Bozeman, C

The Jets already upgraded their interior offensive line in a big way signing Laken Tomlinson, but perhaps they could still look to further solidify the unit.

New York was connected to rumors regarding Baltimore Ravens center Bradley Bozeman and it's unclear if the Jets are still interested. If they are, he's easily the best center still available.

7. NY Jets target: D.J. Chark, WR

The wide receiver market has exploded meaning that it seems unlikely the Jets make a move for one of the top players at the position. If they do, however, D.J. Chark could be high atop their list.

At just 25-years-old, Chark has a 1,000-yard season under his belt and is in desperate need of a change of scenery. He'll get that this offseason, whether with the Jets or another team.

*D.J. Chark has reportedly signed with the Detroit Lions*

6. NY Jets target: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB

Cordarrelle Patterson would be such a fun player in this Jets' offense. The journeyman special-teamer experienced a bit of a breakout at age 30 last season emerging as a true playmaker in the Atlanta Falcons' offense.

Patterson could serve as a depth receiver, power running back, gadget player, and core special-teamer if the Jets sign him. The Berrios re-signing makes this one less likely too, but it's still fun to imagine Patterson in this offense.

5. NY Jets target: Jordan Whitehead, S

If the Jets miss out on the top safeties on the market, Jordan Whitehead is probably their best bet in tier two. The 24-year-old is more of a typical strong safety who does his best work around the box.

He would be a great fit in Robert Saleh's scheme filling the role that Marcus Maye did last year. Whitehead remains a very realistic target for the Jets.

4. NY Jets target: Tyrann Mathieu S

Now we get to the big dogs. Tyrann Mathieu won't be returning to the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, and he's sure to have his fair share of suitors.

It would take a lot to convince him to come to New York, but there's no doubt that the three-time All-Pro would be a massive addition to the Jets' defense, both from a performance and leadership standpoint.

3. NY Jets target: D.J. Reed, CB

This is my personal favorite target remaining on the market. D.J. Reed may be a little undersized at only 5-foot-9, but he should be a top target for the Jets at cornerback.

Reed has graded out in the top-15 of all cornerbacks by PFF in each of the last two seasons, has experience playing in a Robert Saleh scheme, was drafted by Saleh's 49ers back in 2018, and is only 25-years-old. He's an ideal target.

2. NY Jets target: Stephon Gilmore, CB

While Reed is my preferred target, it seems as though the Jets have zeroed in on Stephon Gilmore as their cornerback fix. Gilmore was once the best cornerback in the NFL.

He played well down the stretch with Carolina last season, but quad injuries have forced him to miss 14 games over the last two years and he's already 31-years-old. This would be a risky, short-term fix for Gang Green.

1. NY Jets target: Marcus Williams, S

Marcus Williams is the top player remaining on the market. And until Williams gets his contract, there's a chance the safety market remains relatively stagnant.

The Jets are in on Williams, but the question is, how high will they go? Williams would be a massive addition to the Jets' defense as perhaps the best true free safety in the NFL today. This would be a monster splash.