3 free agents the NY Jets can target after the 2022 NFL Draft

General manager Joe Douglas is not done making moves for the talented team in New York. After an outstanding draft that saw the NY Jets take Sauce Gardner at No. 4, Ohio State standout Garrett Wilson at No. 10, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson at No. 26 after trading up, the team still has some holes to fill.

The front office obviously addressed certain needs in the draft, building around second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, and polishing up their defense.

They also made smart additions when drafting outside of the first round taking potentially the best tight end available in Jeremy Ruckert, and running back Breece Hall. However, even with these decisions made in the draft, the options to add talent to this roster are still open.

Free agency has been something the Jets have capitalized heavily on this year. This year in free agency, the Jets have already been able to bring in former Cincinnati Bengals starting tight end C.J. Uzomah, former starting safety of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jordan Whitehead, and many other depth signings.

These additions have shown the direction that the Jets front office is headed toward: build a strong supporting cast around the young core of talent in New York.

With countless veterans, and league-established talent still readily available in the free-agent market, the opportunities to add talent to the young core in the Big Apple are endless.

1. The NY Jets could target wideout Emmanuel Sanders

While most of the Jets' wideout conversations have solely revolved around the potential trades for Deebo Samuel or D.K. Metcalf, the likeliness of these trades occurring without giving up loads of young talent the Jets possess seems unlikely.

That's why Emmanuel Sanders could be a good fit in New York.

In the 2021 NFL season, Sanders posted 626 yards on 42 receptions while also hauling in four touchdowns on the year. In the previous season, Sanders recorded 14.9 yards per reception which was tied for the highest in his career.

His total yards ranked 59th in the league last season while his 14.9 yards per reception ranked 15th in the league last season.

Before joining the Bills last season, Sanders played for the Saints in 2020 where he recorded 726 yards on 61 receptions bringing in five touchdowns. With that being said, it's proven that his production and consistency have been stable even as he ages.

Sanders, who's 35-years-old, is reaching the tail end of his career, but can still provide leadership to a young locker room whilst maintaining a solid stat line.

With the entirety of the Jets' wide receiver under 27-years-old and newly drafted young star Garrett Wilson being added to the roster, a veteran presence is much needed to mentor the young wide receiver corps.

If the Jets are able to offer a contract to Sanders within the range of $4-6 million on a one-year contract, the potential upside is tremendous.

2. The NY Jets could target offensive lineman Daryl Williams

This is an interesting acquisition for the Jets as not only would this be another former Buffalo Bills player, but another player reaching the age of 30. Daryl Williams is one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the game.

Throughout the last three seasons, Williams has played in every single game, with over 1,000 snaps being recorded last season alone. In the 2021 season, Williams ranked fifth in the NFL in snaps played, according to Pro Football Focus.

There isn’t much that Williams doesn't do well. Throughout the entirety of his career, Williams has only recorded a grand total of five holding penalties and eight false starts.

In the 2021 season, Williams allowed just four sacks of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Jets are in need of somebody with consistency to be a mentor to young linemen on the roster.

Williams signed a three-year contract worth $24 million with the Bills last season before the contract was terminated this offseason to free up $6 million in cap space.

The Jets could theoretically offer Williams the same contract, but a two-year deal worth roughly $17 million. That would give the Jets an opportunity to develop the younger talent on the line while still giving quarterback Zach Wilson a strong offensive lineman for the time being.

Given the recent influx of offensive lineman additions to rosters with young quarterbacks, it's time the Jets start to beef up their offensive line.

With Mehki Becton only playing 48 snaps last season, consistency on the offensive line is something the Jets NEED to prioritize for a young quarterback in Zach Wilson.

3. The NY Jets could target linebacker Anthony Barr

Currently, the Jets have just six active linebackers on the roster and decided not to use a draft pick on one.

That being said, the Jets' scheme under head coach Robert Saleh calls for athletic linebackers who excel in coverage, and a secondary that excels in the ability to offer strong run support, all factors that the former Minnesota Vikings linebacker can offer. 

The former Vikings standout linebacker recorded 38 solo tackles, 34 assisted tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries last season.

Barr, who only played in 11 games last season, has struggled with continuing to stay healthy due to lingering knee injuries. These knee injuries have led to his inability to find a fit in free agency so far.

The Jets are a team that almost acquired Barr in the spring of 2019. At the last minute, Barr changed his mind and returned to Minnesota on a three-year contract with less money than what the Jets offered.

It looks as though now, however, with a new linebacker corps in Minnesota, the writing is on the wall for a potential career resurgence in the revamped Jets defense.

A contract for three years and $24 million offers stability for the Jets' defense while also not risking too much of a cap hit if Barr's knee injuries persist.