5 bargain free agents the NY Jets could sign before 2023 NFL Draft

The NY Jets had a relatively quiet free-agency period. Aside from the addition of wide receiver Allen Lazard, the Jets didn't sign any players who will be locked into starting roles in 2023 — unless you count punter Thomas Morstead.

Part of the Jets' inactivity has been due to the delayed nature of the entire offseason, largely a result of the ongoing Aaron Rodgers saga. But with the Rodgers situation hopefully coming to an end in the near future, the Jets should have an opportunity to make a few more signings.

The 2023 NFL Draft will offer the Jets an opportunity to plug some of the remaining holes on their roster, but they aren't going to be able to address every need in the draft. Expect the Jets to be active in late free agency this year.

Some of the signings on this list could come after this year's draft, but if the Jets want to be proactive, they could consider signing any of these five players prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.

5. The NY Jets could sign OT Billy Turner

The Jets likely aren't done adding to their offensive tackle room this offseason, with many expecting the team to target the position early in the draft. They could still search for depth in free agency, however.

One very intriguing name could be nine-year NFL veteran Billy Turner. Turner has ample experience playing under new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, having spent the last four seasons working with him.

Turner has considerable experience playing both tackle and both guard spots, and has 75 career starts to his credit. He's a reliable sixth offensive lineman who could provide important depth for the Jets.

The team did already re-sign veteran swing tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, but Turner's experience with Hackett makes him someone to keep an eye on. You can never have too much offensive line depth.

4. The NY Jets could sign DT A'Shawn Robinson

The Jets lost two of their top four defensive tackles this offseason as both Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd walked in free agency. The team did bring back Solomon Thomas, but it was clear there was more work to be done.

That's why the Jets went out and signed veteran Quinton Jefferson to a one-year deal earlier this month. Jefferson joins Quinnen Williams as projected starters on the defensive line, but the Jets likely aren't done yet.

The Jets reportedly remain interested in signing another veteran defensive tackle, seemingly with an emphasis on run defense. One player to keep an eye on is A'Shawn Robinson.

Robinson is one of the best defensive tackles remaining on the open market, and he perfectly fits the run-stuffing archetype the Jets are looking for. The former first-round pick stands at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, and is an incredibly effective space-eating interior run defender.

Robinson finished top five among qualified interior defensive linemen last season in run-stop rate while missing just three tackles all season.

This comes one year after Robinson finished top five in Pro Football Focus run-defense grade and second in run-stop rate among qualified interior defensive linemen. He's one of the best run-stuffing nose tackles in football.

An early-down defensive tackle duo of Williams and Robinson would be a perfect way to improve a Jets' run defense that struggled at times last season. Let Jefferson come off the bench as a rotational interior pass rusher.

3. The NY Jets could sign LB Kwon Alexander

The Jets were able to sign former Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander to a dirt-cheap one-year, $1.27 million contract last summer with the hope that he could stay healthy and serve as one of the team's three starting linebackers.

Remarkably, that's pretty much what happened. Alexander went on to play in all 17 games, only the second time in his eight-year career that he had appeared in more than 12 games.

The Jets ended up getting excellent value out of the Alexander signing. The former fourth-round pick played 49 percent of defensive snaps, totaling 69 tackles, and finishing with a Pro Football Focus grade of 63.0 that ranked 36th among all qualified linebackers.

Alexander was a quality contributor in 2022, and at the moment, the Jets haven't done anything to replace him. They re-signed Quincy Williams and will return C.J. Mosley, but the Jets don't have a third starting linebacker on their roster at the moment.

They could opt to roll with the young players already on their roster. Jamien Sherwood is someone the Jets' coaching staff remains very high on, and Hamsah Nasirildeen could see an uptick in playing time.

The Jets could turn to the 2023 NFL Draft as well if they want to continue loading up on young linebackers. Their best bet, however, would probably be to explore re-signing Alexander.

Despite his quality season in 2022, Alexander remains a free agent, and it's hard to believe his market is heating up. The Jets could probably sign Alexander for relatively cheap again.

Given the team's obvious hole at the position, it's something they should absolutely consider.

2. The NY Jets could sign DT Al Woods

Before the Jets signed Quinton Jefferson earlier this month, they were reportedly interested in a different former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle. Al Woods was set to visit with the Jets just days before they signed Jefferson.

However, just because they signed Jefferson doesn't mean they're not still interested in Woods.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported shortly after the Jefferson signing that the Jets could still sign Woods. Although nothing is imminent, the team clearly still has some interest.

Woods would be a very similar signing to A'Shawn Robinson. Both players are true big-bodied nose tackles whose job would be to eat space and stop the run. That's exactly what the Jets should be looking for.

Woods doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. The 12-year NFL veteran has just nine sacks in 155 career games, notching a new career best last season when he recorded a whopping two sacks.

That said, Woods is an excellent run defender. The 36-year-old finished last season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.9 that ranked 32nd out of 127 qualified interior defensive linemen. His 80.3 run-defense grade in 2021 was the fourth-best at his position.

Woods would be a perfect complement to Jefferson in the middle of the Jets' defense, much like he was last year in Seattle. A defensive tackle trio of Quinnen Williams, Al Woods, and Quinton Jefferson would immediately turn that position into a strength for Gang Green.

Whether before or after the draft, the Jets should definitely revisit signing Woods.

1. The NY Jets could sign C Ben Jones

The Jets still don't have a starting center on their roster. The team did sign veterans Wes Schweitzer and Trystan Colon in free agency, but neither player should project as a Week 1 starter.

There is a chance that the Jets are able to find their Week 1 and long-term starting center in the 2023 NFL Draft. Prospects such as John Michael Schmitz, Joe Tippmann, and Luke Wypler have all been connected to the team in recent mock drafts.

However, it might not be wise for the Jets to go into the draft without a backup plan. What if the Jets miss on their preferred center options? It might make sense to sign a veteran before the draft.

The most obvious and attractive option remaining on the free-agent market is Pro Bowl center Ben Jones. Jones was a surprise release earlier this offseason as his seven-year career in Tennessee came to a somewhat abrupt end.

The 33-year-old has long been one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the NFL, and he finally received his due credit when he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2022.

Jones has been the model of consistency and reliability over the last decade, having earned a PFF grade above 70.0 in every season since his rookie year. He's also surrendered just two sacks on 1,557 pass-block snaps over the last two seasons.

A fallback option for the Jets could be to just re-sign the incumbent Connor McGovern, who remains a free agent. Jones, however, has a much higher upside and has experience with new offensive line coach Keith Carter.

Ben Jones should be at the top of the Jets' free-agent priority list as we approach the 2023 NFL Draft.