16 best value free agents the NY Jets could target after Day 2

The NY Jets have made a significant splash over the first two days of free agency landing numerous impact starters and re-signing a few of their own key contributors from last season.

In a way, it almost feels too good to be true. The Jets are signing accomplished players at major positions of need all for very reasonable prices at or below market value.

On top of that, they're rewarding their own internal standouts such as Braxton Berrios and Tevin Coleman with new contracts. This isn't the Jets of old. They've absolutely crushed it in free agency doing everything the right way.

The additions of Laken Tomlinson, D.J. Reed, Jordan Whitehead, and C.J. Uzomah help provide a foundation for a new era of Jets football, one that will be built through homegrown talent and supplemented with talented free agents on reasonable contracts.

That's the Joe Douglas way, and at least on paper, his vision is starting to take shape.

The Jets are probably done making major additions as we head into the third day (and first official day) of free agency. At this stage, they're more looking to fill out the roster with depth signings.

We're talking the Jarrad Davis, Tevin Coleman, Keelan Cole-like signings. Players who can still make an impact, but not guys that are going to cost a premium. Those are the players we're set to look at today.

You aren't going to find a Tyrann Mathieu or a Chandler Jones on this list. The Jets aren't targeting those players. Instead, we take a look at 16 (mostly) value signings the Jets could realistically make to help fill out their roster.

16. NY Jets target: Joe Flacco, QB

Let's first start with a few players the Jets seem likely to re-sign, or at least consider re-signing. Joe Flacco is very much still on the Jets' radar, and bringing him back this offseason feels probable.

Flacco would provide further veteran insurance for the Jets' QB room and compete with Mike White for the backup quarterback job behind Zach Wilson.

15. NY Jets target: Dan Feeney, OG

Yes, it appears the Jets are still interested in re-signing offensive lineman Dan Feeney. The Jets' staff likes Feeney's versatility and believe that he's adequate depth at both center and guard.

Feeney started five games last season and could be brought back to serve as one of the team's primary backup interior offensive linemen.

14. NY Jets target: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OG

This is probably the most impactful re-signing the Jets could still make. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was a genuine upgrade at right guard when the Jets traded for him at the deadline last season.

He went on to start seven games down the stretch replacing Greg Van Roten in the starting lineup. If the Jets re-sign Duvernay-Tardif, expect them to move on from Van Roten — something they can do with $0 in dead cap.

13. NY Jets target: Takkarist McKinley, DE

Now on to those external additions. Head coach Robert Saleh loves having as deep of a defensive line rotation as possible. Even though the Jets seem likely to address edge rusher early in the draft, one value signing they could make in free agency is former first-round pick, Takkarist McKinley.

McKinley hasn't lived up to his potential in the NFL, but he's settled into a nice role as a situational pass rusher. That's the role he could fill with the Jets, and it likely wouldn't take much to land him.

12. NY Jets target: Anthony Walker, LB

This would be your Jarrad Davis signing. The Jets don't view the linebacker position as a significant need, but they could add a little more depth in the form of veteran Anthony Walker.

Walker is a good coverage linebacker who actually finished last season as Pro Football Focus' 17th-highest-graded linebacker. Adding more depth alongside C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams is never a bad thing, and Walker should come relatively cheap.

11. NY Jets target: Jayon Brown, LB

Jayon Brown is one of my favorite role players the Jets could still target in free agency. At 27-years-old, Brown is a pass coverage specialist who thrives as more of a sub-package linebacker in a zone-heavy scheme.

That's precisely the role he could fill with the Jets. He has a decent injury history which should shrink his market, but from a talent/scheme standpoint, you aren't going to find a better value signing at linebacker than Brown.

10. NY Jets target: Rashard Higgins, WR

The Jets have yet to address wide receiver, and it seems very likely that they will do so in the 2022 NFL Draft or via a trade. Still, there's a decent chance they still look to add a veteran before the draft rolls around.

Rashard Higgins is exactly the type of high-floor WR4 the Jets could look to target. He fell out of favor in Cleveland, but Higgins is a well-rounded wide receiver who could provide important depth at the right price.

9. NY Jets target: Byron Pringle, WR

As the fourth option in Kansas City, Byron Pringle rarely got the opportunity to shine. But when he received his chances, he made the most of them.

The 28-year-old could be an intriguing target for a Jets team that's looking for additional wide receiver depth. As an added bonus, Pringle was a core special-teamer and has ample experience as a kick returner, offering further insurance behind Braxton Berrios.

8. NY Jets target: David Quessenberry, OT

The Jets absolutely need to address their offensive tackle depth at some point this offseason. They could really use a proven veteran swing tackle to provide insurance behind Mekhi Becton and George Fant.

David Quessenberry is an appealing option given his experience playing both left and right tackle and his fit in a zone-heavy scheme. The 31-year-old started all 17 games for the Titans last season, but his market should be small.

7, NY Jets target: Tom Compton, OT

Some will remember Tom Compton's first stint with the Jets back in 2019 when he started five games with the team. But most might not realize that he's spent the last two years in San Francisco actually playing some pretty good football.

Compton started seven games in 2021 and finished as PFF's 16th-highest-graded offensive tackle. He has experience playing in a similar system and spent the 2020 season with Mike LaFleur and current Jets offensive line coach John Benton. This one makes all the sense in the world.

6. NY Jets target: Maxx Williams, TE

The Jets already added a tight end, and while most assume the team will shift their attention to the NFL Draft, don't rule out the possibility of adding a second tight end in free agency.

The most appealing option still on the market might just be Maxx Williams. At 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, Williams is an excellent blocking tight end who has flashed his receiving upside when given the chance. He would be an excellent value signing for any team.

5. NY Jets target: J.C. Tretter, C

Yeah, this wouldn't be a value signing. Not in the slightest. However, if the Jets are still looking to make significant upgrades in free agency, they could take advantage of a golden opportunity and target the recently released J.C. Tretter.

Tretter is legitimately a top-six or seven center in the NFL and would absolutely be an upgrade over Connor McGovern. The Jets could still cut McGovern with little dead cap meaning that this move could be on the table.

4. NY Jets target: Myles Jack, LB

Myles Jack wouldn't exactly be a "value signing" either, for obvious reasons. And at this stage, it's hard to see the Jets paying what it will take to land him in New York.

Nonetheless, he's a perfect fit for what the Jets are looking for at linebacker and his experience with both Jeff Ulbrich and Robert Saleh is enough to at least keep him on the team's radar.

3. NY Jets target: Riley Reiff, OT

If the Jets want an experienced, productive swing tackle and they're willing to pay a little extra money, someone like Riley Reiff should be high on their list of targets.

The 10-year NFL veteran has started 139 career games playing both left and most recently right tackle for the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. If the Jets can convince him to sign on as a swing tackle, you probably aren't going to find a better option.

2. NY Jets target: Derrick Nnadi, DT

The Jets desperately need to improve their interior defense with defensive tackle looking like a pretty big need right now. After losing Folorunso Fatukasi in free agency, my favorite option to fill that role is Derrick Nnadi.

At just 25-years-old, Nnadi is a talented run defender who has been the Chiefs' starting 1-technique/nose tackle for the better part of the last four years. He fits what they're looking for and is young enough to continue growing as a player.

1. NY Jets target: Cornelius Lucas, OT

Consider this the more affordable (and realistic) Riley Reiff option. Cornelius Lucas has spent the last few years in Washington and Chicago serving as one of the NFL's premier swing tackles.

He's started 23 games over the last three seasons, consistently graded out well with PFF, and has experience playing both tackle positions. If he doesn't land a starting job somewhere, the Jets should be first in line to give Lucas a call.