5 high-profile free agents the NY Jets could realistically sign

The NY Jets may not be the most active team on the free-agent market this offseason, but they have enough financial flexibility to make some noise on the open market.

That doesn't mean the Jets will be able to snag multiple high-end free agents in a massive offseason spending spree like the team did a few years back in the 2019 offseason. They will, however, have the cap space to make at least one high-profile addition.

The Jets enter the offseason with a number of pressing roster needs, but the two that stand out the most are along the offensive line and at wide receiver. Both positions are expected to be addressed in free agency.

From star wide receivers to Pro Bowl offensive linemen, here's a look at five high-profile free agents the Jets could realistically sign this offseason.

5. The NY Jets could sign Tyron Smith

The Jets will be in the market for offensive line help this offseason and one of the most notable offensive linemen expected to be available is future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith.

Smith has put together an outstanding career over the last 13 years in Dallas, earning eight Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro honors. He's inarguably one of the best linemen of his generation and is a surefire future Hall of Famer.

The issue with Smith has been durability. The former first-round pick hasn't played more than 13 games since the 2015 season — nearly a decade ago. He's played fewer than five games in two of the last four seasons.

The Jets are rumored to be among the teams most interested in Smith this offseason, but keep an eye on David Bakhtiari if the team ends up going the aging, injury-riddled, former All-Pro left tackle route. Nonetheless, Smith would be the better option.

4. The NY Jets could sign Mike Onwenu

Perhaps the top offensive lineman on the open market this offseason is former New England Patriots Day 3 pick Mike Onwenu. At just 26 years old, Onwenu has put together excellent seasons at both guard and tackle, establishing himself as one of the best young offensive linemen in the NFL.

Onwenu has started 56 games for the Patriots over the last four seasons, playing both guard spots and right tackle. After a year spent as New England's starting right guard in 2022, Onwenu shifted over to right tackle and put together another strong campaign.

His versatility, age, durability (he's played 64 of a possible 67 games in the NFL), and outstanding play make him one of the most valuable free agents available this offseason.

Onwenu's market is expected to be robust, but if the Jets have an opportunity to steal a standout offensive lineman away from their division rival, they should absolutely take it.

3. The NY Jets could sign Mike Evans

Mike Evans is set to hit the open market for the first time in his 10-year NFL career, and while a return to Tampa Bay is very much still a possibility, he's hoping to explore his options this offseason.

One of those options could be the Jets — a team expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of wide receiver upgrades this offseason. Evans would be the perfect target for Gang Green.

The five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 1,000+ yards in all 10 of his NFL seasons to date and is coming off a year in which he finished with 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns — his best numbers since 2018.

Evans has shown no signs of slowing down as he approaches his age 31 season. A reunion with the Buccanneers still feels like the most likely outcome, but the Jets should be aggressive here.

2. The NY Jets could sign Kevin Zeitler

This year's guard class in free agency is stacked with young offensive linemen in search of a second contract. Players like Robert Hunt, Kevin Dotson, and even the aforementioned Mike Onwenu come to mind.

But there's at least one high-profile veteran guard set to hit the open market. Kevin Zeitler is fresh off his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2023, and he might be looking for a new home this offseason.

Zeitler has been the model of consistency and durability over his 12 years in the NFL. He's appeared in 15+ games in every season since 2015 and has finished with a Pro Football Focus grade below 71.0 just once in his entire career (2020 with the New York Giants).

Zeitler remains one of the most underappreciated and consistent offensive linemen in the NFL. He'll turn 34 years old in a few days, but he should still be a top target for the Jets this offseason.

1. The NY Jets could sign Calvin Ridley

If the Jets are going to make a big swing at wide receiver this offseason, the most realistic and likely addition is Calvin Ridley. His price tag won't be as high as someone like Mike Evans, and he could still serve as a sizable upgrade.

Ridley returned from a year-long suspension in 2023 and finished with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his lone season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 29-year-old has now recorded 1,000-yard campaigns in each of his last two full seasons.

Ridley isn't a true No. 1 wide receiver, but the Jets already have one of those in Garrett Wilson. He is, however, an outstanding WR2 in any offense, and he would give the Jets an added downfield element to an offense desperately lacking in firepower.

The Jets were interested in a Calvin Ridley trade a few years ago. It's fair to suggest they'll be equally as interested now that he's set to hit the open market.