4 free agent linebackers the NY Jets should still consider signing

The NY Jets addressed a number of their key needs in this year's 2022 NFL Draft. They came out of the first round with a new cornerback, wide receiver, and pass rusher before filling out the roster more on Days 2 and 3.

Altogether, the Jets emerged from the draft with a much better roster than the one they had a few weeks ago, but it's clear that not every position of need was addressed.

Many believed the Jets would add at least one linebacker during the draft given the obvious need at the position. However, three days went by and no linebacker was added.

The Jets aren't necessarily guaranteed to add another linebacker before the season starts. After all, they do seem to be content with the likes of C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, and others.

That said, they have been sniffing around the linebacker market a little bit. The Jets hosted Kwon Alexander on a visit before the draft, but that was also before they signed fellow former 49er Marcell Harris.

Harris is a converted safety (surprise, surprise) who played under Robert Saleh in San Francisco. Right now, he's penciled in as a starter alongside Mosley and Williams with young players like Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen fighting for roles as well.

The Jets could use another experienced veteran in that room. Fortunately, there are a few notable names still available even as we pass the first week of May. Let's take a look at four potential targets.

4. The NY Jets could sign K.J. Wright

The Jets could really use a veteran linebacker who not only can still play at a high level, but someone who also has experience playing in a similar defensive system. Step right up K.J. Wright.

Wright spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks where he developed from a little-known fourth-round pick into one of the better outside linebackers in football.

He crossed paths with Robert Saleh in Seattle from 2011 (Wright's rookie season) to 2013 when the now-Jets head coach was working as a defensive quality control coach.

The Jets' current defensive scheme is heavily inspired by that Seahawks defense led by Dan Quinn. After all, Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich also spent many years working under Quinn, just as Saleh did.

Wright isn't the player he used to be, but he's proven over the last couple of years that he still has something left in the tank.

The 32-year-old spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders where he played all 17 games and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 65.1 that ranked 23rd among all linebackers in the NFL.

This came one year after his 75.7 PFF grade ranked seventh at his position. Wright can still play, and it's not like injuries have been an issue either. He's played 15 or more games in seven of his last eight seasons.

Given his experience with Saleh, bringing Wright in to provide extra depth and veteran guidance to a young and unproven linebacker corps would make a lot of sense.

3. The NY Jets could sign Anthony Barr

The Jets and Anthony Barr obviously already have a bit of history with one another. Most will remember the infamous situation from 2019 when Barr spurned the Jets in free agency in favor of returning to the Minnesota Vikings.

While many fans may not be willing to overlook this football faux pas, the Jets probably would. After all, Mike Maccagnan isn't calling the shots anymore. Adam Gase isn't the head coach. This is an entirely new Jets regime.

Barr finds himself on the free-agent market once again, albeit this time with significantly less fanfare. The four-time Pro Bowler has battled injuries over the last two seasons, and those health issues eventually led to the Vikings officially moving on this offseason.

Still, he only turned 30-years-old two months ago and has been an effective player when healthy. Barr's 62.9 PFF grade ranked 28th among qualified linebackers last season including a 72.5 pass-rush grade that placed top-five.

That's always been Barr's calling card too: his versatility. Barr isn't exactly your typical Robert Saleh linebacker. He's more of a tweener linebacker/edge rusher who can serve a vital role as a chess piece in most NFL defenses, even in 2022.

The big knock on him is injuries. He played just two games in 2020 after suffering a torn pectoral muscle and was limited to 11 games in 2021.

Still, if the Jets are looking for a proven commodity who's been highly regarded as an on and off-field leader throughout his career, Anthony Barr makes sense. You just have to ignore the emotional baggage that would come with him.

2. The NY Jets could sign Alexander Johnson

Alexander Johnson has been one of the NFL's most underrated linebackers over the last few seasons. A late-bloomer, Johnson didn't enter the NFL until the 2018 season when he was 27-years-old.

Johnson was a standout at the University of Tennessee, but he had his career put on hold following sexual assault allegations that emerged during his senior season. Three years later, he was acquitted and signed on with the Denver Broncos.

He took over a starting job in 2019 and finished the season as PFF's third-ranked linebacker in the entire NFL with a stellar grade of 88.5. That was enough for him to retain the starting job heading into 2020.

Johnson once again put together a strong season that year finishing with a PFF grade of 65.4 that ranked 22nd among all linebackers. A step-down, but still a productive year.

Hopes were high for Johnson in 2021 as he looked to build upon two strong seasons. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle just six weeks into the season and was indefinitely sidelined.

Already 30-years-old, the Broncos haven't brought Johnson back just yet, but it's likely that his market will heat up post-draft. The Jets should be among those interested.

Much like Barr, Johnson is a bit bulkier than your average Jets linebacker weighing in at over 250 pounds. Still, he's another proven commodity who would provide much-needed depth to a relatively thin position group.

1. The NY Jets could sign Kwon Alexander

This is the one that makes the most sense and is also the most likely to happen. The Jets have already expressed interest in signing Kwon Alexander having brought him in for a visit prior to the draft.

Are they still interested after signing his former teammate, Marcell Harris? That much is unclear, but they should be.

Alexander played under Robert Saleh in San Francisco in 2019 and parts of 2020 and his skill set is tailor-made for a Saleh-run defense. He's fast, rangy, and a little undersized — exactly what the Jets look for in their linebackers.

A former fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alexander spent the first four years of his career in Tampa Bay before signing a hefty four-year, $54 million contract with the 49ers in 2019.

Unfortunately for Alexander and the 49ers, injuries prevented him from ever reaching his ceiling in San Francisco. He was a productive player when healthy, but he just wasn't healthy enough.

Alexander's injury issues aren't something to overlook, and they're why he remains a free agent into May. He hasn't played more than 12 games in a single season since 2016.

The Jets wouldn't be wise to bank on Alexander's health and any potential contract should reflect that, but his experience with Saleh and his perfect skill set make him an intriguing target nonetheless.