4 reasons the NY Jets should try to sign DeAndre Hopkins

4. The NY Jets can prevent a rival from signing DeAndre Hopkins

On paper, the Jets have one of the better rosters in the NFL with a quarterback they hope can compete with some of the best this sport has to offer. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean their path to the Super Bowl or even the postseason is going to be easy.

The Jets have the misfortune of playing in a loaded AFC East and an even more loaded AFC. They're competing with some of the best teams in the NFL just to earn a playoff spot this season.

Two of those teams seem to be strong contenders to sign DeAndre Hopkins — the Chiefs and the Bills. There's also the New England Patriots, who remain very interested in the longtime Houston Texans wideout.

Those are three teams the Jets are in direct competition with this season. The Jets will face the Bills and Patriots twice and will be competing with both for playoff spots and a potential division title. As for the Chiefs, they're the reigning Super Bowl champions and the team to beat in the AFC.

If the Jets allow Hopkins to sign with one of those teams, not only would they not improve their own roster, but they would see a direct competitor get better.

That shouldn't be the predominant reason the Jets make a run at Hopkins, but it certainly should be considered. Not only could the Jets improve their team, but they could prevent one of their rivals/competitors from getting better.

In an ultra-competitive division and conference, the Jets should be taking every measure possible to get a step ahead of their competition. This is a golden opportunity to do just that.